Wednesday, April 16th
April's meeting will focus on how to safely handle and present your reptile to the public. Please feel free to bring your own animal to show off.
Meetings start promptly at 8pm in the Alumni Room of Medaille College.
Annual Banquet
PLEASE NOTE: The annual banquet and recognition dinner will be rescheduled due to conflicts. The new date will likely be a Saturday in May, please contact a board member for more information.
Northern Black Racer
(Coluber constrictor)
Photo Courtesy of Aaron Greene
The Northern Black Racer is 34 - 77 inches long. They are slate black and have a darker black upper lip. The chin tends to be white. The bellies tend to be white, yellow or dark gray.
Breeding occurs from April to late May. In mid-June to August the female will lay 5 - 28 eggs. Sometimes females will use a communal nest. The eggs are 1 - 2 inches long and are soft and leathery and have a rough texture. The young hatch 6 - 9 weeks later and are 9 -13 inches long.
The Northern Black Racer is diurnal and is often found in empty fields, grasslands and brushy areas. This quick-moving snake can be seen moving over the ground with its head held above the ground to see over the grass and brush. They have been found eating large insects, frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, snakes, small rodents and small birds. It does not constrict its prey, despite its scientific name. They will hibernate in rocky hillsides and can often be found in large groups and with other species of snakes.
Remember that in many places it is illegal to take wildlife out of the wild without the proper permits from local, state, or federal authorities. Please do not release any captive reptiles or amphibians into the wild as this will disrupt the natural order of our environment. See our amphibian and reptile adoptions page for more information on what to do with unwanted herps.
Help reptiles in need by donating to our Adoption Fund! Your donations will help feed and house reptiles waiting for adoption.