Everglades Racer (Coluber constrictor paludicola)

 Florida "swampin" ....gators in the swamps and snakes in the trees.  You'd better believe it. At least that's what we saw on the Tramway trail in Fakahatchee Strand Presrve State Park.  Not to worry though, as this is a harmless Everglades Racer (Coluber constrictor paludicola), a subspecies of the Black Racer (Coluber constrictor). 

 

Florida Museum of Natural History: Everglades Racer

 

This subspecies has a limited range in tropical southern Florida and the Keys.  It is a great tree climber, non venomous, grows to from 20-50 inches and is most likely found in cypress swamps and hardwood hammocks. 

 

Here's a link to the species and subspecies of Coluber constrictor.

 

Coluber constrictor wiki link

 

 



 Lots of color variation with this very local subspecies.  Best identified by it's smooth scales, head shape, round eye and white chin.

 

This specimen was spotted by British naturalist Ben Gilbert, along the Tramway Trail in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

 

 



Here's a couple of great Fakahatchee videos:

 

 

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve video

 

 

Orchids of Fakahatchee

 



It's always great to have a sharp-eyed naturalist along on a hike in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve.  Thanks Ben.

 

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