Davis Mountain Coluber

Coluber subocularis, (A. E. Brown)

Colouration: Ground-colour rich, orange-yellow on the forward portion of the body; paler in the rear. On the back is a series of square black blotches-about two dozen in number-which send forward and backward from their corners a narrow black band or line. The consequent effect is a series of H-shaped blotches, with wide stems. Toward the tail these blotches become obscure to a degree, but continue as dark spots, of which there are eight on the tail. On each side of the body is a series of quite obscure blotches.
Dimensions: The species probably attains a fair size-five or six feet. The conformation is much like that of the Black Coluber (C. obsoletus). The few specimens examined by the writer have been young-under three feet in length.
Distribution: Thus far, taken only in the Davis Mountains, southwest of Pecos, Texas. The species was originally described in 1901. Less than a dozen specimens exist in collections. The collector of all these specimens, Mr. E. Meyenberg, is dead. As he collected all of these specimens within a year's time, it does not seem probable that the species is rare. It is merely a coincidence that no one has collected over the territory where Mr. Meyenberg did such good work. Future collectors will probably demonstrate that this snake ranges well into Mexico.
Habits: Three living specimens have been under the writer's observation. They were young and appeared to be fairly hardy. Mice and young birds were readily devoured. These specimens spent most of their time coiled in the branches of a small tree in their cage. During the time they lived in the reptile house they increased considerably in size.

From a structural view alone, this species is very distinct. Between the eye and the lip plates (upper labials) is a row of several scales. The character at once renders the species unique among the other North American Colubers, as the latter have the upper labial plates in contact with the eye.

The head is immaculate yellow-the eye large and golden. Beneath, the colour is immaculate yellowish-white.

A half-grown specimen on exhibition in the reptile house of the New York Zoological Park was very handsome. The ground-colour was pinkish and the blotches sooty-black.