Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I caught this guy today in a brushy field, next to some rail road tracks, here in northern missouri. He is a very cool looking snake but I am not certain what kind. Any info would be appreciated, Thanks

that is a juvenile Racer (either a yellow-bellied or black racer, depending on where in Missouri you found it).
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Chris Harrison

Chris is right, as usual. Amazing how many people don't recognize young racers & coachwhips.

~~Greg~~

Thanks Chris and Greg. I actually found a picture of one right after I posted it. You guys are correct. I now owe my brother $5, he bet it was a racer. Thanks guys,lol.

its a racer

brandon

If caught in N MO then it is a yellow bellied racer.
Here is a pic of mine from NW MO...

The cool thing about the yellow bellied racers in MO, is that they dont fall into the "normal" coloration as adults. Many people confuse them with the northern and southern black racers because they are so dark, almost black.

However the Northern black racers range does not stretch into MO and the southern black racers range is limited to the southeastern corner of MO. The blue racers range is also not spread into MO, however along the Mississipi river in its range, its possible that a few individuals have swam across the river and are in the extreme eastern edges of MO.

The eastern yellow bellied racers range is almost throughout MO, with the exception of the south eastern corner where the southern blacks range is. And there where the yellow bellied and southerns ranges overlap, you will find intergrades.

Hopes that helps!
Brian

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1.0 Corn snake (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes (MO locale)
1.0 Eastern Yellow Belly racer (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Yellow rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
1.1 California king snake (Coastal phase)
1.0 Prairie king snake (KY locale)
0.1 Black king snake (KY locale)
0.0.1 Eastern Milk snake (KY locale)
0.0.1 Eastern/Red milk intergrade (KY locale)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

it's a baby black racer.

-brandon