The Buttermilk Racer gets its name from its unique splotched pattern. It has a somewhat limited range in the east Texas piney woods, northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas. The typical adult length for this species is from 36 to 60 inches with the record length being 70 inches. It is most likely to be seen in abandoned fields, pastures, along powerline right-of-ways and in other similiar open areas during daylight hours. Like other types of racers, it is a very nervous and fast moving snake and frequently carries it's head raised up several inches above the ground, as seen in the above photo.
The Buttermilk Racer feeds primarily on mice, small rats, lizards and occasional birds.
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