Eastern racer (Coluber constrictor)
The eastern racer is a non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. GBIF holds 11,383 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 46 states, most of all Florida (1,639), California (1,270) and North Carolina (1,221). Its observation records peak in May.
The eastern racer, or North American racer (Coluber constrictor), is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to North America and Central America. Eleven subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized, which as a group are commonly referred to as the eastern racers.
From Wikipedia: Eastern racer, text under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is the eastern racer poisonous or venomous?
No. The eastern racer is non-venomous: it belongs to the family Colubridae, not to the pit vipers or coral snakes, the only U.S. land snakes with medically dangerous venom. It may bite if handled; clean the bite like any small wound.
Which states have the eastern racer?
Records are spread over 46 states; the top three, Florida, California and North Carolina, hold 36% of them.
| # | State | Records | Share of state snakes | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 1,639 | 7.9% | 2nd of 49 |
| 2 | California | 1,270 | 1.7% | 14th of 46 |
| 3 | North Carolina | 1,221 | 5.9% | 6th of 39 |
| 4 | Kansas | 883 | 6.0% | 3rd of 44 |
| 5 | Texas | 660 | 1.6% | 21st of 86 |
| 6 | Virginia | 565 | 5.2% | 7th of 30 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 495 | 3.7% | 9th of 50 |
| 8 | Utah | 347 | 10.4% | 4th of 28 |
| 9 | Louisiana | 293 | 5.8% | 6th of 41 |
| 10 | Alabama | 250 | 4.4% | 4th of 44 |
| 11 | South Carolina | 222 | 6.1% | 3rd of 40 |
| 12 | Maryland | 216 | 6.0% | 7th of 20 |
| 13 | Oregon | 214 | 2.8% | 7th of 16 |
| 14 | Georgia | 208 | 3.4% | 4th of 44 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 185 | 2.2% | 14th of 20 |
| 16 | Indiana | 179 | 8.1% | 3rd of 27 |
| 17 | Nebraska | 172 | 7.3% | 6th of 31 |
| 18 | New York | 171 | 2.9% | 9th of 17 |
| 19 | Ohio | 154 | 2.5% | 8th of 25 |
| 20 | Michigan | 151 | 2.9% | 12th of 17 |
| 21 | Washington | 149 | 2.8% | 6th of 11 |
| 22 | South Dakota | 135 | 4.2% | 6th of 16 |
| 23 | Illinois | 129 | 4.6% | 6th of 33 |
| 24 | Mississippi | 128 | 6.9% | 3rd of 38 |
| 25 | Tennessee | 125 | 4.8% | 8th of 32 |
| 26 | Montana | 124 | 9.7% | 4th of 9 |
| 27 | Colorado | 123 | 3.5% | 5th of 26 |
| 28 | Arkansas | 113 | 2.1% | 9th of 36 |
| 29 | Idaho | 113 | 7.7% | 5th of 11 |
| 30 | New Jersey | 92 | 8.2% | 4th of 18 |
| 31 | Missouri | 87 | 4.6% | 6th of 36 |
| 32 | Kentucky | 81 | 6.3% | 6th of 24 |
| 33 | Delaware | 79 | 11.7% | 3rd of 14 |
| 34 | Connecticut | 68 | 5.8% | 6th of 14 |
| 35 | Massachusetts | 63 | 3.2% | 7th of 13 |
| 36 | Nevada | 63 | 1.6% | 17th of 27 |
| 37 | West Virginia | 62 | 3.8% | 9th of 18 |
| 38 | Iowa | 59 | 5.6% | 5th of 22 |
| 39 | Wyoming | 34 | 3.2% | 6th of 11 |
| 40 | North Dakota | 18 | 8.3% | 4th of 8 |
| 41 | Maine | 10 | 1.1% | 8th of 9 |
| 42 | New Mexico | 10 | 0.2% | 44th of 56 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | 8 | 1.4% | 9th of 9 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | 6 | 0.6% | 15th of 16 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | 4 | 2.0% | 5th of 10 |
| 46 | Minnesota | 1 | 0.1% | 15th of 15 |
When is the eastern racer seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the eastern racer run mostly February through October, peaking in May with 18% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 7% of them.
Season by state
Observation records run through most of the year in Florida. Among states whose main season falls within one calendar year, it starts earliest in February (Alabama and Louisiana) and latest in May (Colorado, Idaho and Utah). The most common peak month is May, shared by Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho and 7 more.
| State | Main season | Peak month | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | most of the year | March | 1,159 |
| North Carolina | March through October | April | 277 |
| California | March through September | May | 233 |
| Virginia | March through October | May | 194 |
| Louisiana | February through September | April | 143 |
| Maryland | March through September | April | 126 |
| Texas | April through October | April | 126 |
| New York | April through September | April | 120 |
| Georgia | March through September | April | 92 |
| Kansas | April through October | May | 82 |
| South Carolina | March through October | April | 82 |
| Oregon | April through October | June | 81 |
| Arkansas | March through August | May | 80 |
| Mississippi | March through October | April | 80 |
| Colorado | May through September | May | 78 |
| Tennessee | March through September | April | 71 |
| Alabama | February through September | May | 67 |
| Kentucky | April through October | April | 67 |
| Delaware | March through October | May | 62 |
| Nebraska | April through October | September | 59 |
| Illinois | April through October | May | 53 |
| Massachusetts | April through October | June | 53 |
| New Jersey | April through October | May | 43 |
| Idaho | May through September | May | 42 |
| Indiana | April through October | May | 42 |
| Utah | May through September | May | 37 |
| Missouri | April through October | May | 35 |
| Pennsylvania | April through September | April | 34 |
| Ohio | March through September | April | 33 |
Where the eastern racer is recorded in each state
Florida
Florida holds 1,639 licensed records, the 2nd most recorded of 49 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in March; most licensed records come from Miami-Dade County, Lee County and Alachua County. Next come Monroe County (102) and Collier County (86).
California
California holds 1,270 licensed records, the 14th most recorded of 46 snakes listed there. Its observation records in California run mostly March through September, peaking in May; most licensed records come from San Mateo County, San Diego County and Santa Clara County. Next come Alameda County (80) and Sonoma County (58).
North Carolina
North Carolina holds 1,221 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 39 snakes listed there. Its observation records in North Carolina run mostly March through October, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Wake County, Dare County and Brunswick County. Next come Carteret County (52) and Moore County (46).
Kansas
Kansas holds 883 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 44 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Kansas run mostly April through October, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Ellis County, Douglas County and Cowley County. Next come Riley County (40) and Russell County (36).
Texas
Texas holds 660 licensed records, the 21st most recorded of 86 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Texas run mostly April through October, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Travis County, Hutchinson County and Denton County. Next come Harris County (18) and Tarrant County (18).
Virginia
Virginia holds 565 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 30 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly March through October, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Henrico County, Accomack County and Fairfax County. Next come Prince William County (20) and Goochland County (20).
Oklahoma
Oklahoma holds 495 licensed records, the 9th most recorded of 50 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Oklahoma come from Cleveland County, LeFlore County and Okmulgee County. Next come Comanche County (32) and Marshall County (32).
Utah
Utah holds 347 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 28 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Utah run mostly May through September, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Salt Lake County, Tooele County and Utah County. Next come Davis County (18) and Box Elder County (12).
Louisiana
Louisiana holds 293 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 41 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Louisiana run mostly February through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from East Baton Rouge Parish, Saint Tammany Parish and Morehouse Parish. Next come Saint Charles Parish (14) and Jefferson Parish (13).
Alabama
Alabama holds 250 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 44 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Alabama run mostly February through September, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Lee County, Baldwin County and Tuscaloosa County. Next come Mobile County (12) and Escambia County (10).
South Carolina
South Carolina holds 222 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 40 snakes listed there. Its observation records in South Carolina run mostly March through October, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Jasper County, Charleston County and Berkeley County. Next come Richland County (16) and Georgetown County (15).
Maryland
Maryland holds 216 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 20 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Maryland run mostly March through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County. Next come Charles County (14) and Worcester County (12).
Oregon
Oregon holds 214 licensed records, the 7th most recorded of 16 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Oregon run mostly April through October, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Lane County, Benton County and Wasco County. Next come Douglas County (17) and Jackson County (16).
Georgia
Georgia holds 208 licensed records, the 4th most recorded of 44 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Georgia run mostly March through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Charlton County, Bryan County and Bulloch County. Next come Chatham County (8) and Cobb County (6).
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania holds 185 licensed records, the 14th most recorded of 20 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Pennsylvania run mostly April through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Allegheny County, Cumberland County and Bucks County. Next come Westmoreland County (10) and Butler County (9).
Indiana
Indiana holds 179 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 27 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Indiana run mostly April through October, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Monroe County, Morgan County and Clark County. Next come Brown County (10) and Marshall County (9).
Nebraska
Nebraska holds 172 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 31 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Nebraska run mostly April through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Cherry County, Gage County and Dundy County. Next come Pawnee County (10) and Scotts Bluff County (10).
New York
New York holds 171 licensed records, the 9th most recorded of 17 snakes listed there. Its observation records in New York run mostly April through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Ulster County, Dutchess County and Suffolk County. Next come Ontario County (8) and Orange County (7).
Ohio
Ohio holds 154 licensed records, the 8th most recorded of 25 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Ohio run mostly March through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Scioto County, Lucas County and Butler County. Next come Erie County (6) and Clinton County (5).
Michigan
Michigan holds 151 licensed records, the 12th most recorded of 17 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Michigan come from Washtenaw County, Livingston County and Berrien County. Next come Newaygo County (8) and Kent County (7).
Washington
Washington holds 149 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 11 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Washington come from Klickitat County, Grant County and Okanogan County. Next come Pierce County (12) and Kittitas County (11).
South Dakota
South Dakota holds 135 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 16 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in South Dakota come from Custer County, Jackson County and Clay County. Next come Pennington County (12) and Harding County (8).
Illinois
Illinois holds 129 licensed records, the 6th most recorded of 33 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Illinois run mostly April through October, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Madison County, Union County and Richland County. Next come Jackson County (7) and Jersey County (6).
Mississippi
Mississippi holds 128 licensed records, the 3rd most recorded of 38 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Mississippi run mostly March through October, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Jackson County, Lafayette County and Harrison County. Next come Lawrence County (6) and Perry County (6).
Tennessee
Tennessee holds 125 licensed records, the 8th most recorded of 32 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Tennessee run mostly March through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Putnam County, Cheatham County and Wilson County. Next come Lincoln County (7) and Montgomery County (7).
Top counties in the U.S.
| # | County | State | Records | Share of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Mateo County | California | 199 | 1.7% |
| 2 | Salt Lake County | Utah | 186 | 1.6% |
| 3 | Miami-Dade County | Florida | 162 | 1.4% |
| 4 | Lee County | Florida | 158 | 1.4% |
| 5 | Alachua County | Florida | 135 | 1.2% |
| 6 | Wake County | North Carolina | 132 | 1.2% |
| 7 | San Diego County | California | 112 | 1.0% |
| 8 | Ellis County | Kansas | 108 | 0.9% |
| 9 | Monroe County | Florida | 102 | 0.9% |
| 10 | Santa Clara County | California | 97 | 0.9% |
| 11 | Ulster County | New York | 95 | 0.8% |
| 12 | Dare County | North Carolina | 87 | 0.8% |
| 13 | Collier County | Florida | 86 | 0.8% |
| 14 | Alameda County | California | 80 | 0.7% |
| 15 | Tooele County | Utah | 77 | 0.7% |
How recent are the eastern racer records?
The eastern racer record leans on older material: only 34% of dated U.S. records come from 2017–2026, and the median record is from 1987. The oldest dated record is from 1817; the busiest year was 2024, with 542 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1810s | 1 | 0.0% |
| 1850s | 9 | 0.1% |
| 1860s | 13 | 0.1% |
| 1870s | 18 | 0.2% |
| 1880s | 35 | 0.3% |
| 1890s | 71 | 0.6% |
| 1900s | 93 | 0.8% |
| 1910s | 242 | 2.2% |
| 1920s | 342 | 3.1% |
| 1930s | 799 | 7.2% |
| 1940s | 814 | 7.4% |
| 1950s | 717 | 6.5% |
| 1960s | 936 | 8.5% |
| 1970s | 860 | 7.8% |
| 1980s | 719 | 6.5% |
| 1990s | 412 | 3.7% |
| 2000s | 759 | 6.9% |
| 2010s | 983 | 8.9% |
| 2020s | 3,209 | 29.1% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 557 counties where the eastern racer is most recorded, 258 are also top counties for the common garter snake, more than for any other snake. Venomous species among its neighbors: the eastern copperhead.
| Species | Shared counties |
|---|---|
| Common garter snake | 258 |
| Ring-necked snake | 218 |
| DeKay's brown snake | 197 |
| Northern water snake | 197 |
| Gopher snake | 165 |
| Eastern hog-nosed snake | 159 |
| Eastern copperhead venomous | 156 |
| Eastern rat snake | 152 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other members of the family Colubridae with profiles here: Western terrestrial garter snake, Common garter snake, Gopher snake, Ring-necked snake, Northern water snake and DeKay's brown snake.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.