Eastern Yellowbelly Racer

I almost stepped on this Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) while hiking in Dolliver State Park early last spring.  They're the only large Iowa snake with no stripes or spots when grown.   I estimated this one was around 6 feet.  Eastern Yellowbelly Racers are at home in fields, grasslands, brushy areas, and open woodlands.  It's more likely to forage during the day than other snakes which explains why I found it sunning itself mid-morning.