They are slender snakes of medium size with greenish- blue to gray coloration on their backs, a bright yellow belly and a white patch on their chin. Racers inhabit the sagebrush prairies of western North Dakota and are commonly found near a source of water. They have large eyes which aid them in their pursuit of prey during the day. The diet of racers varies. They feed on small rodents, reptiles, and insects, which are their main food source.
Young racers have a distinctive pattern that slowly fades as they mature.