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Flat-tailed Water Snake
- Colouration
- The pattern is indistinct in mature individuals--and frequently so with the young.
- Dimensions
- Total Length . . . . .22 1/4 inches.
- Distribution
- Confined to Florida. One variety is recognised, on which the banded appearance is more pronounced, and assumes the form of black stripes on the neck. It is technically known as T. compressicaudus ustus.
- Habits
- Beyond the fact that this species is semi-aquatic and very timid-immediately taking to the water when frightened, the habits are generally unknown.
Moderate in size and thickness of body. A short distance from its base, and for the space of about a third of its length, the tail is distinctly flattened. A transverse section of the tail would appear as a decided oval. This portion of the tail suggests that member as having been slightly crushed on the sides. From the flattened portion, the tail very gradually tapers to a slender point.
The ground-colour is greenish-gray or ashy-gray, with obscure and irregular darker bands. On some specimens the markings form clouded blotches on the back, and smaller, alternating blotches on the sides. The abdomen is dark gray or brown, with a central series of yellow spots; the chin is darker than the abdomen, with larger yellow spots.
The head is dark, while the borders of the lip plates (both upper and lower labials) are marked with yellow.
Length of Tail . . . . .5 1/4 inches.
Diameter of Body . . . . .1/2 inches.
Width of Head . . . . .7/16 inches.
Length of Head . . . . .3/4 inches.