The Southern black racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) is one of the more common subspecies of the non-venomous Eastern racer. These snakes are quite active during the day and eat almost any animal they can overpower. They are quite fast, giving them the name "racer".
Adults of this species are usually thin with a jet black dorsal side with a grey belly and white chin. Juveniles are gray in color with distinct reddish-brown blotches that fade into a solid-colored tail.
Southern black racers are found throughout the southeastern United States. They live in forests, pinelands, open woodlands, grassy areas, brush, hardwood hammocks, prairies, sandhills, desert, scrub, and cypress strands. They are also often seen in fields and suburban yards.
Southern black racers are solitary creatures. They are active during the day spending their time hunting or basking in the sun. These are very fast-moving snakes that can also climb and swim well. Racers are not dangerous and when spotted, they usually flee, relying on their speed. Members of this species generally do not tolerate handling and typically strike and flail wildly every time they are handled. Their common defense against predators is defecating a foul-smelling musk.
Being carnivores Southern black racers eat almost any animal they can overpower, including lizards, insects, moles, birds, eggs, small snakes, rodents, and frogs.
Southern black racers between March and August. Females lay up to 20 eggs. The young measure around 15 cm at birth and are fully independent.
There are no major threats to Southern black racers at present. However, man remains the greatest enemy of these snakes. Many are killed on highways and others are intentionally killed out of fear. The white chin causes some people to kill this snake, believing that it is a cottonmouth - a venomous snake more commonly called a Water moccasin.
Presently, the Southern black racer is not included in the IUCN Red List and its population size and conservation status have not been evaluated.
Southern black racers are important for the ecosystem they live in as they control many populations of their prey. These snakes are also the main prey species for local predators such as hawks.