Are there blue snakes

I agree to receive editorial enewsletters and special offers and promotions relating to Australian Geographic merchandise and subscriptions I'd like to receive special offers from Australian Geographic partner organisations. Search for:. Search Articles. Search Store. Contributor Bec Crew. Post Tags snake. White-lipped island pit viper. Related Video. Read Next. The tokay gecko is a masterclass in tail shedding A stunning reptile with a secret in its tail, the tokay gecko captivates anyone that encounters it.

Deadly toxic crabs are trying very hard to warn us When a crab with a bright pink and purple shell covered in strange golden hairs tries to tell you something, you should probably listen. The chocolate wattled bat has the pug-like face of an angel With a luxurious coat of fur that resembles the colour of fresh hot chocolate, the chocolate wattled bat is one cute critter. More in Creatura Blog See more. For diet variety and stimulation, blue racers can also be fed the occasional grasshopper.

But note that grasshoppers are not as convenient to store as mice and should not be their exclusive diet. The water bowl should be shallow enough for your blue snake to climb in and out of easily.

Racers are not known to soak so their bowl does not need to be large enough for their whole body. Blue racers can live up to 10 years in the wild and slightly longer in captivity. Males and females live to be about the same age. Because pet blue racers are usually wild-caught they share many of the same health problems with other wild snakes.

Fungal diseases are commonly found on wild snakes. They show up as crusty lesions or yellow scales around the mouth and sides of a snake. Ticks are usually found with their heads buried under a scale. Bacterial diseases can be caused by poor husbandry and dirty bedding. Racers have a large home range that is about 0.

In the cooler months Blue Racers will move to less-covered areas such as abandoned fields to soak up the sun. Racers like to have a lot of ground space in captivity. They should have at least enough room to stretch out to their full length and prefer to have more ground space to height. Because of their speed they should be able to move around their enclosure to avoid stress and boredom. They like to roam and will need quite a bit more space than a ball python or corn snake.

An adult racer should be housed in at least a gallon terrarium:. An enclosure should have a temperature gradient to allow your snake to self-regulate its body temperature. A ceramic heat bulb can be used if the nighttime temperature is too low. Racers do not need a specific humidity beyond the regular ambient humidity.

However, it can be a good idea to include a humid hide with sphagnum moss when your snake is shedding. Blue racers can be flighty so it is a good idea to provide multiple hiding places for your snake. Place lots of decor in their enclosure too.

Good examples include: branches, boxes, tunnels and plants real or fake. The blue racer is intelligent and will likely explore anything you place in its cage.

They are not like a corn snake i. Substrates can include wood shavings avoid pine and cedar , coconut fiber or paper towels. Paper towels are more utilitarian but are far easier to keep clean and change.

Loose substrate can be spot-cleaned as needed and should be changed completely every month to avoid diseases. Blue racers enjoy basking in open areas to relax. However, this is a species that likes to be on the move and so will not spend much time under substrate or in a hide box. In the wild this snake will share burrows with other species. Racers will also hibernate with other snakes in rocky crevices and old animal burrows.

If startled or threatened racers will first try and run away. If their enclosure is too small for them to feel safe they will stand their ground and bite repeatedly. Blue Racer snakes are non-venomous but they have a lot of curved teeth that make for a painful bite. To avoid bites it is best to start with a young snake in a large cage and get it used to being around people. Blue racer snakes are aggressive and can strike from a long distance. They do not tolerate being picked up. In addition to biting, they will musk and twist their bodies around to make themselves difficult to hold.

Blue racer snakes are in part named after their speed. They can slither at speeds of up to four miles per hour. Action we are taking Endangered Species and their general habitat are automatically protected. Recovery strategy A recovery strategy advises the ministry on ways to ensure healthy numbers of the species return to Ontario. Read the executive summary March 2, Read the recovery strategy March 2, Government response statement A government response statement outlines the actions the government intends to take or support to help recover the species.

Read the government response statement February 28, Habitat protection General Habitat Protection - June 30, What you can do Report a sighting Report a sighting of an endangered animal or plant to the Natural Heritage Information Centre.

Photographs with specific locations or mapping coordinates are always helpful. Volunteer Volunteer with your local nature club or provincial park to participate in surveys or stewardship work focused on species at risk. Be a good steward Private land owners have a very important role to play in species recovery. If you find Blue racer on your land, you may be eligible for stewardship programs that support the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitats. Try to develop an appreciation for snakes; they play an important role in our environment.

Whether in a field or in your backyard, if you come across a snake, keep in mind that you are much larger than it is and the snake is more afraid of you than you are of it. Snakes can be delicate and improper handling can cause serious injury. Also, certain species are protected under legislation, which makes it illegal to harass, harm or kill them. Be respectful and observe from a distance. Although species at risk are protected, poachers have been known to capture individuals for the pet or food trade.