Allen's Snake

Liodytes alleni, (Garman)

Colouration: The pattern consists of bands, extending lengthwise. On the back is a broad band of dark brown, occupying the five central rows of scales and a half row on each side; this band also covers the top of the head. On each side of the dark area is a pale olive, or yellowish band, two scales wide and beneath this, another band of the darker hue, the width of 2 1/2 rows of scales. The abdomen, 1st, 2d and one half of the 3d rows of scales, also the upper lip plates, are yellow and immaculate.
Dimensions: The measurements were taken from the type specimen:
Distribution: Known only from Florida. It is a rare serpent.
Habits: A secretive animal, found hiding under logs in damp places. Captive specimens cannot be induced to feed.

Size moderate. Body stout, tapering suddenly toward the neck; head proportionately very small and not distinct from the neck. Scales of the body smooth, polished and opalescent; a few rows on the top of the tail are distinctly keeled.

Through the courtesy of Dr. Samuel Garman, who originally described this species, the writer has examined the type specimen. Its smooth, shining scales, small, flat head and banded markings, cause it to resemble the Rainbow Snakes (Farancia and Abastor), though it is not closely related to those serpents. It is a showy reptile, but, like the Rainbow Snakes, leads a burrowing life.

Total Length . . . . . 24 1/2 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 5 1/2 inches.

Greatest Diameter . . . . . 3/4 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 1/2 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 1 inches.

Small and Secretive Species, Representing the Genera STORERIA, HALDEA, AMPHIARDIS, and VIRGINIA

SOME of the diminutive snakes included in this chapter are probably degenerate descendants of the group of water snakes. In adopting secretive and subterraneous habits they have gradually lost the colours and size of the ancestral forms. These serpents are readily recognised by the dull brown of the upper surface, with but obscure markings or none whatever. Their maximum length is about fourteen inches. They are generally familiar as the little "ground snakes" so often found hiding under flat stones or the bark of decaying trees.

A key to the genera and species is given, together with illustrations of the heads and sections of the body, for the species are so alike in colouration that they are most easily told by their scalation.

The key follows:

I. Body scales keeled.

??No loreal plate. Genus Storeria.

Brown above; pinkish beneath.

DEKAY'S SNAKE,S. dekayi.

Brown above; vermilion beneath.

STORER'S SNAKE, S. occipitomaculata.

??A loreal plate.

*Two internasal plates. Genus Amphiardis.

Brownish-olive above; abdomen white.

GARMAN'S BROWN SNAKE, A. inornatus.

**One internasal plate. Genus Haldea.

Brown above; pinkish beneath.

BROWN SNAKE, H. striatula.

II. Body scales smooth.

No preocular plate. Genus Virginia.

Brown above; yellow beneath.

Scales in fifteen rows. VALERIA'S SNAKE, V. valeriae.

Brown above; yellow beneath.

Scales in seventeen rows. VIRGINIA'S SNAKE, V. elegans.