====+==================================+==================================== | Original record | Record(s) of recapture Sex +--------------+-----+-----+-------+--------------+------+-----+-------- | Date | A | B | C | Date | A | B | C ----+--------------+-----+-----+-------+--------------+------+-----+-------- [M] | May 14, 1956 | 815 | 191 | 56-1/2| May 15, 1959 | 905 | 243 | 92-1/2 | | | | | May 16, 1961 | 945 | 287 | 104-1/2 [M] | May 22, 1958 | 825 | 251 | 68-1/2| June 25, 1959| 840 | 205 | 82 | | | | | May 27, 1960 | 880 | 210 | 93 | | | | | Oct. 14, 1961| 900 | 223 | 109-1/2 [M] | May 19, 1959 | 705 | 105 | 32-1/2| May 28, 1960 | 828 | ... | 45 | | | | | July 3, 1961 | 900 | 265 | 58-1/2 [F] | Nov. 6, 1954 | 823 | 190 | 38 | June 30, 1958| 1030 | 350 | 82 [F] | June 6, 1955 | 810 | 190 | 33 | May 21, 1959 | 1087 | 345 | 80-1/2 [F] | Aug. 29, 1957| 885 | 265 | 48 | Aug. 6, 1960 | 1041 | 235 | 83 [F] | May 1, 1958 | 633 | 84 | 20 | May 30, 1961 | 1088 | 320 | 57 [F] | July 20, 1958| 862 | 203 | 46-1/2| June 30, 1960| 1020 | 238 | 70 [F] | Oct. 18, 1956| 845 | 185 | 37-1/2| May 20, 1958 | 905 | 240 | 56-1/2 | | | | | Oct. 22, 1959| 1085 | 375 | 74 ----+--------------+-----+-----+-------+--------------+------+-----+-------- Mortality Factors and Adaptations for Survival _Defense, and Escape_ The behavior patterns that are associated with defense and escape in snakes are widespread. The common racer is typical of the more generalized snakes. Almost all elements of the racer's behavior are found in snakes of other genera and perhaps, of other families. The racer differs from these only in minor details of its behavior, in the circumstances under which various behavioral traits are elicited, and their relative importance. The common racer is one of the swiftest of North American snakes, and it usually depends upon speed to avoid enemies. Racers crossing roads may detect approaching automobiles at a distance, and thereby may be stimulated to accelerate their movements and so escape onto the shoulders rather than becoming traffic casualties as many individuals of most other kinds of snakes do under the same circumstances. The chances of such escape are of course much better on dirt roads that are relatively narrow and have a rough surface permitting efficient traction, than on wide smooth, paved highways. The snakes are somewhat reluctant to venture onto open expanses of pavement. Table 17. Sizes of Racers of Different Age Groups in May and October