Blue racer snakes are among the rare kinds of blue snakes that exist in the world.
The species is scientifically referred to as Coluber constrictor Foxii. The species is part of the subspecies belonging to the famous North American racer.
Blues are among the most well-known racer sakes due to their vibrant scales. They feature white underbelly as well as metallic scales that vary in hues ranging from green-gray to bright blue.
Like many racers, the blue snake can be frightened and susceptible to biting. This is why they are a bad option for snake keepers who are new.
Despite the controversy surrounding the species, it is an extremely sought-after pet.
If you’re an experienced lover and are looking to know more about this gorgeous blue snake, keep reading…
Blue Racer Snake Profile
The Blue Racer Snake is one of the 11 North American racer subspecies. They belong to the Colubridae family, the biggest snake species in existence.
Blue racers stand out due to their blue hue and distinctive Black mask.
The species adapts to variety of climates and habitats. Within the United States they can be located close to their habitats along the Great Lakes, from Minnesota to Southwestern Ontario and Indiana.
Their distribution is Canada is restricted to a small number of Pelee Island.
Unfortunately, their wild population is declining because of habitat destruction, development and human activities. This has led to the snake to be declared threatened by Canada. They are currently not as endangered within Canada or the United States.
The blue racer snakes were named for their blue color and high metabolism.
Their metabolism is high, allowing them to slide along at speeds four miles an hour!
If threatened, blue racers first attempt to outrun their adversaries.
If they fail, they could make their tails vibrate against the vegetation in order to produce a buzzing sound and then strike repeatedly. While they are not venomous, they could cause an unpleasant bite, and must be avoided on the open field.
What We Like About Blue Racers
Pros
- Rare and attractive blue coloration.
- It is easy to adapt to colder climates.
- Inquisitive and smart.
Cons
- Extremely aggressive and wary of humans.
- Large tank requirements.
What Does A Blue Racer Snake Look Like?
Blue racer snakes are considered to be one of the most beautiful and easily recognized racers. This is due to its vivid blue scales. They grow to 36 – 60 inches and are easily recognized by their silvery gray-green scales.
Two of the most distinctive features of the blue racer include:
- The black scales that surround their eyes create the appearance of a mask.
- The scales of red on their snouts.
Some blues are darker gray hue and are difficult to differentiate from other subspecies, such as that of the black racer from southern Africa ( pictured below).
The 11 subspecies of racer snakes have different designs and colors.
The racer known as buttermilk ( Coluber constrictor anthicus) is a unique snake that has a checkerboard pattern across its rear. It is the eastern racer of yellowbelly ( Coluber constrictor flaviventris) is a coffee-colored snake with an underbelly of yellow.
Blue Racer Size
Blue racers for adults vary in size between 36 and 60 inches.
There is a small difference in size between females and males. Both sexes are slim snakes, and they aren’t very heavy-bodied, like an western Hognose.
Hatchlings typically measure 7.5 or 15 inches long ( not including their tail).
Juvenile snakes typically increase in size by a factor of two during their first year.
Young snakes are dark with a black blotched pattern across their bodies (similar to the juvenile snakes) that they shed when they reach sexual maturity.
Blue Racer Snake Care Sheet
Blue Racer Diet
Blue racers in the wild for their sakes are predators that are opportunistic. This means that they are able to devour bugs ( especially grasshoppers) or birds small mammals, amphibians and lizards as well as other snakes and eggs.
Their diet and prey selection vary throughout the year.
The species is a major food source for mammals in spring and summer months and also insects in autumn. The juveniles are more likely to consume insects because of their small size.
Birds and eggs of birds comprise less of their diet since blue racers do not have a lot of climbers. But, they do consume them if given the chance!
Blue Racer Snakes kept in captivity hunt actively.
It is recommended to feed mice ( either pinkies or adults) throughout the day.
Mice should be killed before they enter your home to prevent injury to your snake. Some snake owners choose to use frozen-thawed mouse. The mice that have been frozen are readily available and can be easily stored.
To provide variety in diet and stimulate Blue racers may also receive a small amount of grasshoppers. Be aware that grasshoppers aren’t quite as easy to store as mice, and shouldn’t be their sole food source.
In addition, they must be able to access pure water.
The bowl of water should be deep enough for the blue snake to get into and out of. Racers do not soak , so their bowls do not have to be big enough to hold their entire body.
Lifespan & Health
Blue racers are able to live for up to 10-years in nature as well as slightly more in captivity. Females and males around the same age.
Because blue racers for pets typically are wild-caught, they have some of the same health issues with the other snakes that are wild.
fungal disease can be found in wild snakes. They appear as crusty lesions or as yellow scales that surround the mouth and the sides of the snake.
Pests such as ticks and mites can be a source of concern.
Ticks usually have their heads submerged beneath the scale. Mites appear as tiny dots around the snake’s eyes, nose , or inside their bowl of water. There are also mites on your fingers when you hold a snake that is infected ( they won’t hurt you).
Bacterial illnesses are often result of poor hygienic practices and filthy bedding. Mouth decay ( Ulcerative stomatitis) manifests as pus and sores around a snake’s mouth.
Signs They Are Healthy
- Glacier scales.
- Alert behavior.
- Eyes that are clear.
- Great appetite.
Sickness Symptoms
- Crumbly scales.
- Sluggish behavior.
- Bubbles in the nose and mouth.
- Loss of appetite or loss of weight.
Housing Blue Racers
Blue Racer Snakes like large open areas and habitats like forests.
Racers enjoy a wide home area that’s roughly 0.4 sq miles to females as well as 0.8 square miles for males.
In cooler weather, Blue Racers move to areas with less vegetation, like abandoned fields to enjoy the sunshine. They can withstand conditions as cold as 50 degrees.
In warmer months, they’ll move into environment with more vegetation, like forests.
Enclosure Set Up
Racers prefer to have lots of space while in the confinement. They need at least enough space for stretching out to the fullest extent and prefer having the most space for ground in relation to height.
Due to their speed, they will be in a position to move within their enclosures without boredom and stress.
They love to run around and require some space than an ball snake or corn snake. A mature racer must be kept in a minimum of 100-gallon of terrarium
- Tank type glass.
- Tank Size: 100-gallon.
- Lighting It is both UVA and UVB are required.
- Substrate wood shavings.
Blue racers require both UVA as well as UVB light source to efficiently process their food. They like slightly lower temperatures than most snakes that have an upper temperature range of 85degF. The enclosure must have an incline of temperature to allow your snake to regulate its body temperature.
The temperature of the tank can drop to down to 70degF during night. A ceramic heat lamp is an option if the nighttime temperature is not enough.
Snakes don’t require special humidity above the normal ambient humidity. But, it is beneficial to have an enclosed area that is humid, with sphagnum moss if your snake sheds.
To ensure that your snake is comfortable you must try to replicate its natural environment.
Blue racers can be frenzied and it’s an excellent idea to offer numerous hiding spots in your snake.
Put a lot of decorations in the enclosure, too. Examples include boxes, branches, tunnels and even plants ( real or fake).
A blue snake is smart and is likely to explore whatever that you put in its cage. They’re not as active as corn snakes (i.e. climbing snakes) therefore you should you can expect your racer to remain active mostly in the enclosure.
Substrates could comprise the wood shavings ( avoid pine and cedar) or coconut fiber, or paper towels. They are more useful but they are also much more easy to keep tidy and clean.
The loose substrate can be cleaned when needed and replaced completely each month to keep away from infections.
Typical Behavior
Racers are mainly terrestrial, But, some have been found as high as ten meters up in trees!
The racer snakes live in the daytime which means just like humans, they are active during the daytime.
Blue racers like to soak up the sun in the open spaces to unwind. But, this is a species that prefers to move around and will therefore not stay in a the surface or in a hide box.
In the wild, this snake can share burrows other species. They also sleep together with snakes within caves, sandstone and in old animal burrows.
In captivity, they’re not social animals and should be kept in a separate area.
If racers are threatened or scared, they are first inclined to flee. If their enclosure isn’t big enough to be safe, they’ll stand their ground and repeatedly bite. Blue Racer snakes are non-venomous but they possess a large number of teeth that are curved, making for painful bites.
To avoid getting bitten, it’s recommended to begin with a small snake in a big cage. Then, it can get familiar with people.
Blue racer snakes tend to be extremely aggressive and are able to attack from a distance. They are not tolerant of being taken away.
Alongside bites, they can also make their bodies mushy and twist around in order to make them impossible to grasp.
Secure owners should utilize the snake hook to control to move the snake’s blue.
How Fast Is A Blue Racer Snake?
Blue racer snakes are named for their speed. They can move at speeds up to four miles an hour. They are swift animals and can be difficult to capture if they choose to suddenly quit their enclosure. Their small bodies enable them to squeeze through cracks that humans can’t reach.
Where Can You Buy A Blue Racer Snake?
The blue racer snake is thought to be endangered in certain areas in North America, so they are not easy to find to purchase.
They aren’t very common in the pet trade.
The majority of snakes are caught wild which are later sold. Because of their decreasing numbers, it is advised to locate the captive-bred.
The best way to locate blues that are captive-bred is at an exhibit or reptile show, or through an individual breeder.
Check to see if the breeder is reliable and the snakes appear to be healthy (e.g. well-fed and alert).
It is simpler to judge the condition of a snake sold by a seller in the presence of a person.
Also, you should look for crusty scales, mites or any other signs of illness. A slim snake could be an indication of internal parasites, especially in the case of wild-caught.
A blue racer can be priced between $50-$100. The brightest and bluest people are likely to fetch an expensive price.
Blue Racer Snake Facts
| Common Name | Blue Racer |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coluber constrictor Foxii |
| Price | $50 – $100 |
| Size | 5 feet long |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Diet | Mice, insects, lizards, eggs |
| Tank Size | 100-gallon |
| Humidity & Temperature | The daytime temperature ranges from 80 to 85 Humidity: 40% – 50% |
| Popular Alternatives | Black snake the corn snake or bull snake |
Summary
Blue racer snakes are an agile beautiful, non-venomous reptile. Blues increase to 36 – 60 inches and can be recognized by their gray-green metallic scales.
They aren’t picky eaters, and are able to eat rats, lizards, and mice and frogs kept in captivity.
Because of their aggressive nature, They aren’t ideal snakes for the first time owner. Also, they require large enclosure due to their size, activity level and speed.
Blue racers aren’t accessible at all reptile stores.
The racer subspecies that is endangered is across Canada and is at risk throughout its habitat. It is the responsibility of the buyer whether the attraction of owning this creature is worthwhile for the damage to their population.
Do you own a blue racer that is captive-bred? Please let us know via the comment section.
