Reptile & Amphibian Forums

He this is the first time on this fforum, but I regular the King and Milk and others. I was woundering if anyone here breeds Blue Races? I mean the really blue ones. I've seen many labelled blue racers but weren't very blue at all.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Hey Jorge, if you are thinking about the "blue" runners found in the New Orleans area, I believe they are actually blackmasked racers which do exhibit slate grey coloration on top and blueish bellies. I remember these "blue runners" appearing in local pet shops in N.O. back in the day from time to time.

Hey Kev I don't remember those blue runners? I was refering to the the big blue ones like up north in Michigan area. I've only seen them in pics, and they look nice! I love blue snakes, lol.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Sorry about man! Yes, the range if the true blue racer is way up north. However, I used to see large blackmasked racer we called "Blue Runners" growing up in the NO area. Many got four foot plus and were slate blue grey on top, with lighter blue grey bellies. Very nice, but typical racer LOL!!

Hi,

The kind of snake you're thinkin' of is the (controversial) ssp foxi: http://www.wildlifenorthamerica.com/Reptile/Blue-Racer/Coluber/constrictor-foxi.html

Otherwise, the Eastern yellow-bellied racer, C. c. flaviventris, is commonly referred to as the "blue racer" throughout its range, but its color never matches foxi's.

I had once the opportunity to see those at a French importer's and they were extremely attractive; a friend of mine bred them once or twice.

Hope that helps.

Benjamin

Yup that's the one and they're pretty foxy too! Sorry I had to say that. I am surprised you don't see them offered for sale. I would consider a pair of those if they weren't too expensive. I've even thought about asking Brian of BHB if they come across them since they are up in Michiagan. Why do you say they are controversial?
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Because foxi is not always considered as a valid subspecies; it might merely be a morph of C. c. constrictor. Fitch supported this point of view as soon as 1963 in his monograph. It doesn't preclude that the "true" blue racer is a very handsome serpent though. Concerning their occurrence on the European market, it is determined by the demand which is by no means more important here than in the U.S. That's why only a very few taxa of racers, coachwhips, and whipsnakes are sometimes available from importers.

Regards,

Benjamin

I know it has been since the spring, but afterall this is still on page one of this forum. The replies to this were absolutely grueling to read.... Did anyone not understand that the agreed upon subject was the Blue Racer? The midwestern form from the north known in latin as Coluber contrictor foxi? That is all the poster was looking for was a breeder for this snake, the blue ones! Not the Black-masked in Louisiana, not the Eastern Yellow-Bellied Racer, not the Western Yellow-Bellied racer, not even the bluish-gray specimens of the Everglades racer nor a freakish blue Oaxacan Racer!

With that being said, I would be surprised if there was anyone out there that breed Blue Racers (meaning foxi for anyone thinking maybe we drifted off to another subspecies) or any other racers (now meaning all other subspecies of C. constrictor).

It really is a shame though, they are great snakes: smart, beautiful, inquisitive and generally make you feel that you've met your match! I used to keep Southern Black Racers, Northern Black Racers, Everglades Racers, and even a gorgeous Eastern Yellow-Bellied Racer back in the 80's and 90's. I always found them to be awesome, and was constantly ridiculed by my herp friends for being interested in "trash" snakes (read: not collectible, difficult to work with, and worthless). I don't think they could've been further from the truth. These snakes rule, and either secretly or blatently all herpers know this, it's instinct!

/Chris