Description: 24 - 50 inches. Racers are light colored when young, with dark reddish-brown blotches. The belly is white with small black, brown, or reddish spots. As they grow older, they will lose the blotches on the back, and spots on the belly. Adult racers are uniform in color, and can be various shades of brown, green, blue, and occasionally black in Minnesota.

Similar Species: Smooth Green Snakes may appear similar in pictures, but young racers within the size range of Smooth Green Snakes will have a blotched appearance rather than being a solid color. Smooth Green Snakes turn blue after death and are often mistaken for 'blue' racers.

Comments: Racers are an uncommon snake in Minnesota. Most observations are from southeast Minnesota, with a few reports from along the Minnesota River. Please report observations.