Boyle's King Snake

Ophibolus getulus variety boylii, (B. & G.)

Colouration: Black or brown with white or yellow cross bands, which are narrow on the back and abruptly widened on the sides, thence crossing the abdomen as broad blotches. From this description it will be understood that the pale markings take the form of rings, instead of bifurcating and joining one another on the sides as do the bands on the typical form. With black specimens possessing white bars, the pattern is very striking.
Dimensions: Both of these allied varieties are of a similar length. Following are the dimensions of a specimen of Boyle's King Snake, from southern California:
Distribution: Boyle's King Snake inhabits western Nevada, western Arizona and California; it is most abundant in the latter state. The allied variety occurs in southern California and Lower California.

Considerably smaller and more slender than the Eastern (typical) snake. The scales are in 23 rows--occasionally 25.

The head is dark with the exception of the snout where the plates are pale or contain pale centres; there are often a few yellow dots on the temples. Both upper and lower lip plates are yellow, heavily bordered with black or brown.

The variety californiae: As this variety is very closely allied to Boyle's King Snake, it is best considered under that head. The body is black or brownish. Although there is a general indication of the white rings, these are much broken and interspersed with short stripes, which run lengthwise. On some specimens there is a tendency of the paler markings to unite in a stripe on the back. The head is coloured like the preceding variety. The abdomen may be entirely yellow or blotched with black.

Total Length . . . . . 32 1/4 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 2 3/4 inches.

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

Width of Head . . . . . 5/8 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 1 inch.