You are unlikely
to find a North American Racer on the starting line of the next track
event. They are pretty fast, mind you,
but they are also a type of snake.
I see North
American Racers fairly often near my house.
They prefer somewhat open habitats, including shortgrass prairies of the
type around me. Racers also tend to be
quite active during daylight hours. And
they definitely live up to their name when fleeing a perceived enemy. They whip away at astonishing speeds.
Racers make their
living by preying on insects and small vertebrates such as mice and birds. These snakes are non-venomous and non-aggressive
in behavior.
Yesterday, after
prancing around outside (in more technical terms: watching a septic dude pump
unmentionable goo and floaties from my septic tank), I nearly stepped on a
North American Racer. This particular
snake—a three-footer—had decided to climb up onto the concrete steps at my
front door.
I had to poke the
racer a couple times to shoo it back out onto the prairie. That, after capturing an image with my
smarter-than-me-phone.
—Mitchell
Hegman
I saw this and whispered "Oh @(!*&#%$!@#* NO." I am 100% confident I can outstrip a Blue Racer (that's what my dad calls them) but I will do it going in the opposite damn direction.
ReplyDeleteI also know them as a blue racer. I will admit, I was a little startled when I first saw the racer. But I have never been bothered by snakes. Spiders are another matter.
ReplyDeleteI am no fan of spiders but snakes send me into a cold panic usually accompanied by girly screaming and then a lot of very unlady like swearing. I like to keep things balanced.
ReplyDelete