Brown King Snake

Ophibolus rhombomaculatus, (Holbrook)

Colouration: Light brown above, becoming paler (yellowish) toward the abdomen and with about fifty-five rather obscure, reddish-brown blotches on the back. These blotches are irregular and wavy in outline and narrowly bordered with black; they are from 6 to 7 scales wide and from 2 to 3 scales long. On some specimens there is an indication of a smaller series of alternating blotches on the sides. The pattern is not distinct, and from a short distance the snake appears to be of a uniform, pale brown.
Dimensions: Constituting one of the smaller species of the genus, this reptile seldom attains a length exceeding a yard. Its general proportions are much like those of a full-grown specimen of the Northern Milk Snake or House Snake--O. doliatus triangulus. The measurements of a specimen captured near Groveton, Virginia, are given:
Distribution: The distribution of this species is limited to a comparatively small area, and within the borders of its range it is nowhere abundant. Occurring in Maryland, it extends southward into South Carolina; it ranges westward only to the Allegheny Mountains.
Habits: Like the other species of the genus the Brown King Snake exhibits an appetite that inclines toward cannibalism. It feeds upon the young of other snakes and upon lizards as well, but seems to prefer small rodents and birds.

Moderate in size--attaining a length of about a yard. The body is fairly stout and cylindrical. The head is small and scarcely distinct from the neck.

The abdomen is yellowish-white, often showing patches of pale salmon-red, arranged in tessellated fashion--and the entire surface sprinkled over with gray or black dots.

Total Length . . . . . 34 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 4 1/4 inches.

Greatest Diameter . . . . . 9/16 inches.

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

Length of Head . . . . . 7/8 inches.

The writer captured a large specimen in Fairfax County, Virginia, that lay stretched upon a grassy bank, enjoying the warm rays of a spring sun. When captured, it defended itself vigorously for the moment, but soon became quiet. Having no receptacle in which to place the snake, he carried it several miles coiled quietly about his hand. Its only symptom of anger was an occasional shaking of the tail.

The majority of the writer's specimens could not be induced to take other food than very young birds, and of these they were very fond. Some specimens refused these tempting morsels--from a serpent's standpoint--and ultimately starved to death. Generally speaking, these snakes are sluggish and uninteresting in captivity.