PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Global Rank	State Rank	Federal Status	WI Status	Animal Group

North American Racer (Coluber constrictor)

State Status: SC/P

Federal Status: none

State Rank: S2

Global Rank: G5

Wildlife Action Plan: SGCN

Photo by A.B. Sheldon

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) is a Special Concern species and a Protected Wild Animal. Racers prefer moderate to dry sand prairies and bluff prairies. They are well adapted to open, sunny, or savanna-like conditions. This species overwinters individually or communally with other snakes. Fractured limestone is often used to avoid freezing or desiccation during winter. Racers are active from April through early-October. They breed in spring or fall and lay their eggs from mid-June to early-July below the surface in sandy soils. Eggs hatch in 55-65 days, usually in August or early-September. This species has declined in recent decades due to natural succession resulting from fire suppression and a lack of management to maintain open canopy conditions.

Wildlife Action Plan

Associated Natural Communities and Ecological Landscapes

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Issues/Threats and Conservation Actions

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

North American Racer (Coluber constrictor)

Rare Species & Natural Communities

Additional Resources

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