coluber constrictor foxii conservation status in michigan

#COLUBER CONSTRICTOR FOXII CONSERVATION STATUS IN MICHIGAN UPDATE#
#COLUBER CONSTRICTOR FOXII CONSERVATION STATUS IN MICHIGAN FULL#

Probable natural predators of adult blue racers include the larger birds of prey (e.g., red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, great horned owl) and carnivorous mammals such as raccoons, foxes and coyotes. Adults engage in both terrestrial and arboreal foraging. The younger snakes may consume crickets and other insects, whereas adults feed primarily on rodents, songbirds and other snakes. Campbell and Perrin also noted that racers were among the first snakes to disappear from suburban areas. Therefore, blue racers are more confined to areas with minimal anthropogenic activity. In contrast to blue racers, eastern fox snakes were often found under front porches, in barns/garages, and in the foundations of houses whereas, most (but not all) blue racers were observed in more 'natural' settings.

Evidence to suggest this comes largely from radio telemetry data from both blue racers and eastern fox snakes that inhabited the same general areas on Pelee Island (although studies were not conducted concurrently). foxii is valid.īehavior/Adaptability Blue racers seem to be relatively intolerant of high levels of human activity and for most of the active season, they remain in areas of low human density. flaviventris (the eastern yellow-bellied racer), most recent authorities agree that the subspecies C.c. Although there has been some controversy regarding the designation of C.c. The largest documented specimen captured on Pelee Island was 138 cm SVL. The blue racer is one of Ontario's largest snakes, reaching 90 cm to 152 cm snout-to-vent length (SVL).

#COLUBER CONSTRICTOR FOXII CONSERVATION STATUS IN MICHIGAN FULL#

Unlike adults, hatchlings and yearlings (first full active season) have dorsal blotches that fade completely by the third year however, juvenile patterning is still visible on the venter until late in the snake's third season. They also have characteristic black masks, relatively large eyes, and often have brownish-orange rostral scales (snouts). Descriptionīlue racers often have creamy white ventral scales, dull grey to brilliant blue lateral scales, and pale brown to dark grey dorsum. Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve and the Stone Road Alvar Complex (owned and managed by the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Essex Region Conservation Authority, and Nature Conservancy Canada) are the two most important protected areas for the blue racer. Several areas are known to harbor blue racers and the important microhabitats used by them (e.g., hibernacula) are formally protected on Pelee Island. Unfortunately, implementing a program to effectively protect endangered species habitat on private lands has been extremely difficult. The habitat protection afforded by the ESA has significant land-use implications, particularly because a substantial percentage of blue racer habitat identified occurs on private lands.

Subsequent to the spatial delineation (or mapping) of this habitat, the OMNR determined that these lands should be protected from destruction or human interference as is required under the ESA. In 1998, blue racer 'habitat' on Pelee Island was spatially delineated (primarily utilizing mark-recapture and radio telemetry data collected from 1990 to 1998) and formally identified for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). Consequently, habitat determined to be critical to the snake's persistence is protected (from destruction or significant alteration) under Ontario's Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The blue racer has been on Ontario's Endangered Species List since 1971.

#COLUBER CONSTRICTOR FOXII CONSERVATION STATUS IN MICHIGAN UPDATE#

COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Blue Racer Coluber constrictor foxii in Canada It is listed as a species of special concern in the state of Wisconsin. The snake has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List in terms of conservation, but is listed as endangered in Canada by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

Coluber constrictor foxii conservation status in michigan