Northern Black Racer (Coluber Constrictor)

The non-venomous Northern Black Racer (Coluber Constrictor) is another relatively docile species this snake is slender and glossy black with smooth dorsal scales and is most often found in moist woodlands and fields where it can grow to around 6 feet in length. This species of snake is glossy black with a white chin and throat and it feeds on a diet of birds, small mammals, amphibians, and other reptiles. Reproduction produces approximately 25 off-white eggs that are deposited in loose soil or sawdust piles. I would rate this snake to have decent pet potential bearing in mind it grows to 6 feet and would require a larger habitat than most. Juveniles of this species have a banded pattern that slowly disappears as the snake grows larger and the snake is completely black by the time it reaches 30 inches in length.

 

In West Virginia this is one of three species commonly known by locals as "Black Snakes" the other two species are the Black Ratsnake and Eastern Black Kingsnake.