Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wanted to conform. I'm pretty sure this is a black racer. What do y'all think. Very pretty snake in person. Pictures taken by cell phone. He/She is right at 5ft long. I'll probably keep it a week or two and see if it will eat one of my mice, then let it go in the back yard.

Cool!. It is indeed a Black Racer, but the very same thing applies with that one as did the hatchling pic you posted below earlier. In central Alabama it is basically all Southern black Racer(Coluber c. priapus) territory, but just to the north and east of that becomes more Northern Black Racer(Coluber c. constrictor). Any intergrade lineage it might possibly have would be virtually impossible to discern by looking at it, and many intergrades can look more like either subspecies involved too, even out of the same clutch.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks Doug, Outside he looked more flat black. Once inside he had a glossy bluish color that would change color as he moved. Very cool snake.

I was told the black racer was very heard to keep alive in captivity. I can't afford to feed it anyway right now. I don't have enough mice producing and for that size snake. I will go to the pet store and get two appropriate size mice and will attempt to feed it in a couple of weeks.

DAVY

My experience with black racers is that they will eat mice in captivity but they prefer pre-killed mice. Make sure it has a secure hiding place.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

They will also readily accept frogs. If you have access to leopard frogs, freeze them first to cut down on the risk of parasites. ~~Greg~~

That is what I have always called a Black Snake, I have a 6 footer in my yard that has been there for three years now. I live in a very rural area and mice are common. He lives in a huge black walnut tree that has a large cavern at the base of the trunk. I find his sheds out in the grass a few times a year. I have also picked him up, but he didn't like that much, lol!!! For cheaper food look into frozen mice, they are far cheaper to feed, plus much better for the snake.