Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I caught this Racer during a trip down to Arkansas.. We caught 2 that looked just like her and 1 that was simply a perfect example of a normal Black Racer...is it possible this one is a Blue Racer or just a very beatifully colored Black Racer? I'm not sure so I figured I'd ask...I'd like a definate ID so I know what I have...She's settled down, is eating just fine for me..and isn't near as flighty as I thought she would be.

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Mel Goodrich
RavenCrest Reptiles: Sale and Rescue
drune@charter.net

~Updated animal list coming soon~

Remember that the idea of subspecies includes the concept that over much of the range, the animals will be integrades showing some indication of all the subspecies that border that area.

It is just a southern black racer with a bluish caste, IMHO. If you were in NE AR, then there is the possibility you are seeing some influx of foxii genes. But that blue color doesn't necessarily indicate that.

Dark racers show up with this bluish cast different place throughout their range. I have seen buttermilk racers in East Texas with the same blue.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Thanks... I am aware of the possibility of intergrades but whether or not that is the case may never be known. For ease of labeling we're just going to call her/him C. c. priapus.

Oh,one other question. What is the probing depth in these guys to determine sex? I'm considering trying to find a second one and breed on a small scale to see if I can't intensify that blue coloring anymore. Normally, I don't take animals out of the wild unless I intend to release them again at a later date but this specific color variation has caught my interest big time. And surprisingly she's calm enough to handle.. eating just fine and isn't near as bad as I have heard most racers are about being flighty and nervous.

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Mel Goodrich
RavenCrest Reptiles: Sale and Rescue
drune@charter.net

~Updated animal list coming soon~

What county in Arkansas? I've seen similar within the range of yellow bellied racers, which may resemble blues as well.