The black racer is black with no markings. The blue racer is a gun metal gray with a greenish cast. The black racer lives in the eastern portion of the state, while the blue lives in the western. In the area where their ranges overlap, there is interbreeding between the two species, however there is little no difference in their appearance.
Racers are diurnal .
The racer is fast, reaching speeds of 8 to 10 miles per hour. It is nervous and very aggressive when encountered, striking out, biting often and vibrating the tip of its tail. Despite its scientific name, it is not a constrictor . Because racers help farmers by eating rodents and the fact that, between the black and blue, racers are found in all 88 Ohio counties, the Ohio Legislature named the black racer the State Reptile in 1995. For questions or comments, email our SiTeMaSteR .