Galapagos Racers
(Western Galapagos Racer depicted)
Where to Look
- All visitor sites within a given species' range. Encounters with most species are extremely rare.
Related Galapagos Species
Lava Lizards
(10 Species)
Eastern Galapagos Racer
Pseudalsophis biserialis
Near Threatened. Uncommon endemic resident. Found in lowlands of San Cristobal and islets off the coast of Floreana, namely Champion, Enderby and Gardner. The only snake within its range. San Cristobal Population is striped, but population near Floreana is spotted. Predation by housecats and chickens, but can adapt to modified habitats. No decline, but has been extripated from Floreana.
Darwin's Racer
Pseudalsophis darwini
Near Threatened. Uncommon endemic resident. Found on Fernandina, Isabela and nearby Tortuga Islet. Co-occurs only with Western Galapagos Racer, a much larger snake that lacks black and gold transverse bands. A small snake with black and gold transverse bands.
Central Galapagos Racer
Pseudalsophis dorsalis
Near Threatened. Fairly common endemic resident. Baltra, North Seymour and Santa Fe as well as two islets off the coast of Santa Cruz, namely Eden and Venecia. Co-occurs with Painted Racer on Baltra and North Seymour, but lacks the dark brown and gold lateral lines of that species. An overall greyish brown snake with some dark brown spots. Extripated from roughly 90% of its historical range as a result of predation by cats and rats, but current populations found on islands free of exotic predators and population is stable.
Santiago Racer
Pseudalsophis hephaestus
Near Threatened. Uncommon endemic resident. Found on Santiago, Rabida and Sombrero Chino Islet. Co-occurs with much more common and larger Thomas’ Racer. Santiago Racer has black lateral stripes while Thomas’ Racer lacks these. A gold and black, latterally striped snake. Known from only a few sites and may be predated by introduced black rats.
Espanola Racer
Pseudalsophis hoodensis
Near Threatened. Fairly common localized endemic. Endemic to Espanola and adjacent Gardner Islet. The only snake within its range. A pale and dark brown, laterally striped snake. Small range leaves it vulnerable to stochastic events.
Western Galapagos Racer
Pseudalsophis occidentalis
Least Concern. Uncommon to very common endemic resident. Found on Fernandina, Isabela and nearby Cowley Islet and Tortuga Islet. Co-occurs with much smaller Darwin’s Racer throughout its range. Darwin’s Racer has transverse black and yellow bands, while Western Galapagos Racer is overall brown with bold spots. Overall brown with bold dark brown spots and markings.
Pinzon Racer
Pseudalsophis slevini
Vulnerable. Fairly common localized endemic resident. Endemic to Pinzon. The only snake within its range. A golden colored snake with black transverse bands. Small range leaves it vulnerable to stochastic events.
Painted Racer
Pseudalsophis steindachneri
Endangered. Fairly common endemic resident. Found on the coastal lowlands of Santa Cruz, Baltra and North Seymour. On Baltra and North Seymour, co-occurs with Central Galapagos Racer, a snake which does not have golden lateral lines. Overall dark brown with golden lateral lines. Undergoes extreme population fluctuations due to weather patterns and faces significant predation threats by introduced rats, cats and dogs on Santa Cruz. Population appears to be declining.
Thomas' Racer
Pseudalsophis thomasi
Near Threatened. Fairly common endemic resident. Found on Santiago, Bartolome and Rabida. Co-occurs with Santiago Racer on Santiago and Rabida, but lacks its fellow racer’s black lateral stripes. A variable species ranging from an overall nondescript brown snake to one with brown and cream lateral stripes. Known from only a few locations and is vulnerable to predation by introduced rats.