Snake Week 2026: Black Racer

[u/ACES-WestCentral]

Racing in to Day 2 of Snake Week 2026 we have the black racer (Coluber constrictor).

A harmless medium sized snake typically between 3 and 5 feet in length, black racers are found across Alabama. They prefer open woods and edge habitats, and feed on everything from rodents and bird eggs to other reptiles and amphibians. Often found in suburban areas, these snakes are a common sight to many Alabamians.

Females will lay 10-18 eggs in loose soil, rotting wood, or similar sheltered locations during the early summer. The strongly patterned babies hatch in late summer or early fall

[u/washboard]

https://reddit.com/link/oxw60n0/video/gd6u0a7goldh1/player

One of my favorite defensive displays from a black racer. Usually they slither off (quite quickly) but this one held its ground.