Image ID 515348 Premium Services    Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) Hand-colored lithograph after [Miss] Martin From: John Edwards Holbrook, North American Herpetology; or, A Description of the Reptiles Inhabiting the United States. Vol. 3 of 5 (Philadelphia, 1842) NYPL, Rare Books Division, Stuart Collection

Black Racers are long (up to 5 feet) non-venomous snakes with smooth scales. The juveniles differ from the uniformly dark adults in their lighter body color and banded patterning. Racers, who can move very quickly, prey on lizards, frogs, small mammals, and birds and their eggs. They are at home in many habitats – woodland, wet areas, and meadows. At one time they were found in Central Park, and the New York Botanical Garden has reported occasional sightings in recent years.

John Edwards Holbrook (1794–1871), whose exhaustive study remains a classic resource in its field, was a perfectionist. All the illustrations in North American Herpetology were drawn from live specimens, and any prints that were not accurately colored were destroyed by the author.

Check out the sighting log to record your interaction with some of the native New York City wildlife, such as the Black Racer, featured in Urban Neighbors. You may also browse the sighting log by animal, borough, park or natural area, and/or habitat to view a sighting you have submitted or to read others’ observations.