Emory's Coluber

Coluber emoryi, (B. & G.)

Colouration: Ashy-gray, with a series of rich brown or olive-brown blotches on the back, separated by intervals of one or two scales. These blotches are narrowly margined with black. There is a smaller series of alternating blotches on the side and beneath this a yet smaller series. The abdomen is yellowish-white, with dull gray blotches.
Dimensions: Few specimens are over four feet in length and the greater number are below this size.
Distribution: States west of the Mississippi River, from Kansas to New Mexico. Common in Texas and known as the "spotted chicken snake" in some districts. The species extends some distance into the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, where it seems to be more abundant than in the United States.
Habits: Similar to the preceding species. It is not a vicious snake and soon becomes very gentle in captivity. The food consists principally of young rats and mice-sometimes small birds. This snake is a very agile climber and is often found in trees. Captive specimens take immediate advantage of a branch or small tree placed in their cage.

Smallest of the North American Colubers and the most slender. So fine is the carination of the scales that they appear perfectly smooth unless closely examined; only a few rows on the back are keeled.

From behind the eye there is a dark band extending past the angle of the mouth to the neck. Immediately in front of the eyes is a dark bar extending across the head. There are two elongated blotches from the back portion of the head to the neck.