Sorry for over reacting with anger to your post. I love racers and it pissed me off people intentionally slaughter them. Actually habitat destruction and selfish (over) collectors do more damage to the existing populations. Blue Racers are now extinct in Ontario with the exception of a single island where they are protected. Ratsnakes have keeled scales while racers and whips have smooth scales. Rats have a flat belly giving the animal a shape similar to a loaf of bread in cross section. Rats have round eyes and pupils while racers have ovoid eyes reminiscent of birds of prey. Whipsnakes are very thin and elongate while racers have a typical snake build. Coachwhips are a little more heavy bodied than the other species of whips but more elongate than racers. Unlike racers, ratsnakes just sit there or move slowly away when confronted by humans. Racers are far more likely to survive a hostile encounter.

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