Blue Racer Snakes in Kansas

Racer snakes are common in the United States, including the eastern racer which is found east of the Rocky Mountains. The many different species of eastern racer snakes are often identified by color. Eastern racers can be found in Kansas, but the blue color variation that gives this species its name is rare in the Sunflower state.

  1. Habitat

    • Racer snakes in Kansas prefer open grasslands and prairie during the spring and summer months. They are also found on rocky and wooded hillsides during the spring and fall months. It is common for racer snakes to bask in sunlight during the day while laying on rocks or the ground. Blue racer snakes will usually move around an area of about 25 acres, but they are not territorial and will not fight other racers.

    Appearance

    • Mature blue racer snakes are shiny with smooth scales. They are blue to almost black in color. The bellies are normally cream or yellow and carry no patterns. Young racers usually have a pattern of spots and blotches on their body. As they mature, young snakes lose these patches and develop a uniform color scheme with no pattern. The largest racer ever found in Kansas (as of 2011) was 55 ½ inches long.

    Hunting

    • Blue racer snakes are active during the day. They can climb trees, but spend most of their time on the ground. They get the name because of how fast they can move, especially when chasing prey. It will feed on large insects, mice, other snakes, lizards, birds, frogs and small mammals. They do not constrict their food. Blue racers lay on the prey and force it to stay still so it can be swallowed whole.

    Interaction with Humans

    • All racer snakes are nonvenomous. However, blue racers can become aggressive when they feel cornered or tormented. They will often try to flee into bushes or trees, but when cornered, they will aggressively strike at humans. They also vibrate their tail when they feel threatened, which creates a sound that can be mistaken for that of a rattlesnake. The bite is not poisonous, but can be painful.