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Tag Archives: snakes

Snakes of North Carolina: Black Racers

Posted on Wed - Feb 28th, 2018 by NC-Culture Posted in Of Special Interest .

Black Racers

Black Racer
Photographer: Dave Allen
www.djaimages.com

First I would like to thank Dave Allen for allowing me to use his photo for this post, and Dave Murdoch for his identification of the type of snake. Also thanks to Carolina Critters Facebook group, which is a wealth of information for this admin.

The Black Racer is similar to the Black Rat Snake (we have already covered rat snakes), but with some distinct differences.

For one, instead of the white underbelly, racers are usually solid black, but may have a white patch on the chin and down the throat area. They also tend to be somewhat smaller than the rat snake.
Non-venomous, it is important to note, and they are very shy, as are many of our NC snakes. However, if you corner them and they are frightened, they will coil and mimic a rattler. I have actually seen one do this years ago, when my husband and I disturbed one in an old barn. needless to say, that coiling and fake “rattling” was very effective, as we had no idea if rattlers would breed with other snakes (we were VERY young!), so we took the warning seriously and backed way far away!

But remember, this only happens if they are trapped..generally, once they spot you, they are history..wanting no more to do with you than you might with them.

Diet consists of nsects, eggs, mice, frogs and lizards, so good for rodent control.

For habitat, they like brush, rocky hills, meadows, and of course, they like to be underneath things, such as tin sheets and things like that.

These are slender snakes, and another difference to note from the rat snake is the smooth scales.
Often, people will tell stories of being chased by racers. Racers are not constrictors, and actively hunt down live prey, which leads to their keeping their heads up high for hunting. However, they will escape up a tree if frightened.

Black Racer
source: commons
Durham NC
note white patch on chin

Most info gleamed from the following two sites:

Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina

NC State Snake Pictures

Tags: Black Racer, NC, North Carolina, snakes .

Snakes of North Carolina: Rough Earth Snake

Posted on Mon - Feb 26th, 2018 by NC-Culture Posted in Coastal, Of Special Interest, Piedmont .

Rough Earth Snake

Rough Earth Snake
source: commons

The rough earth snake is very benign..non-venomous, and usually around 9″ long, although some can be at a foot. These little fellas (and gals) can be found in our coastal and piedmont regions, and a bit in our foothills. They like flowerbeds and places where they can easily stay underground.

The difference between rough and smooth earthsnakes is their scales. The rough earthsnake has rough or “keeled” scales…”keeled” meaning the following:
“Keeled scales refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale, making them rough to the touch.”
(source: Wikipedia)

What do they eat? Bugs, bugs and more bugs. Their primary diet is earthworms and insects..hmm..wonder if they eat voles?

Coloring is a gray or brown back with a belly of a lighter color. According to this source, some may also have a band across the back of the head.

Mating is spring and early summer, with babies arriving in July or August. The live birth usually results in 3-11 babies. Babies tend to be darker in color.

info from the following link:
Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina

 

Tags: coast, foothills, NC, North Carolina, piedmont, Rough Earth Snake, snakes .

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  • TUNNELS OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: FRYING PAN & DEVIL’S COURTHOUSE TUNNELS Mon - Feb 26th, 2018
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