![]() foxii, these snakes are likely practicing an opportunistic foraging strategy. We do not guarantee that the websites we link to comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act. Although it appears that certain prey items are incorporated with greater frequency into the diet of this population of C. Variation exists among age classes, however, with depleted values of δ 15N for large juveniles, indicating that they occupy a dietary niche unique from either hatchlings or adults. constrictor foxii appears to follow a dietary pattern typical of an opportunistic predator. constrictor foxii showed differences in standard morphometric data between age classes but not sexes. I used a Bayesian mixing model to determine the potential sources of δ 13C and δ 15N in the snake tissues. I performed x 2 analyses to investigate patterns in morphometric data and multiple-way ANOVA to investigate differences in the isotope signatures of individual snakes between seasons, tissue types, sexes, and size classes. ![]() In addition to obtaining gut and fecal contents, I employed stable isotope analyses using δ 13C and δ 15N to describe the dietary niche breadth of C. Additionally, this information is available from gut and fecal content only. The dietary information on Blue Racers (Coluber constrictor foxii) is limited, and little is known about ontogenetic or seasonal differences in the prey species consumed. Within this clade, the genus Coluber includes wide-ranging, actively foraging snakes that have been historically labeled as dietary generalists. Among reptiles, the niche breadth of many species of snakes is relatively understudied. Check it out background big and see a lot more cool shots from out and about in their slideshow.The trophic niche width of a species varies depending on the foraging strategy employed by the individuals within a population. You can also watch a cool video of a BIG blue racer by the Saline Snake Guy.ĭ charvat writes that they saw this good-sized blue racer while hiking in the Middleville MI state game area. The Coluber constrictor Eastern Racer entry from Animal Diversity Web says that the blue racer is one of several different racer subpopulations and adds a lot more information and photos including that in the wild, racers have been known to live over 10 years. Needless persecution by humans as well as habitat loss are probable factors in this decline. Once common, their numbers have fallen in many places. Racers have been found through most of the Lower Peninsula (except the northernmost sections) and the southern tip of the Upper Peninsula. The young racers hatch in late summer and, as noted above, are colored differently than the adults. Although they will bite if cornered or grabbed, racers are not venomous.įemales lay 6 to 25 eggs in rotting wood or underground during June and July. These snakes feed on rodents, frogs, smaller snakes, birds, and insects. They are alert, active snakes that may climb into low bushes to escape enemies. Racers inhabit a variety of places, including open woods, meadows, hedge rows, marshes, and weedy lake edges. Young racers are grayish, with a pattern of darker blotches and spots. Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) in Ontario Ontario Recovery Strategy Series Recovery Strategy for Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) in Ontario Photo: Joe Crowley Recovery Strategy prepared under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. The head is usually darker than the body, though the chin and throat are white. Their Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxi) page explains:Ī large gray or blue snake with smooth scales. ![]() The DNR’s page on Michigan snakes says that Michigan has 17 native species. While Mitt Romney’s “the trees are the right height” memories of Michigan drew some laughter, I doubt that anyone would laugh at tomboy Ann Davies with a couple of blue racers draped around her arms. ~Ann Romney recalling her Michigan childhood ( article) I was the ultimate tomboy when I grew up here in Manistee and I loved the Great Lakes. “I’d drape them around my neck and around my wrist. “I liked to go on the road and catch the blue racers and sort of scare my brothers,” she said. ![]()
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