Graham's Water Snake

Tropidonotus grabami, (Baird & Girard)

Colouration: The back is dark brown, usually with an indistinct, pale band down the centre, which is narrowly bordered with black. On each side of the body is a broad band of yellow, this in strong contrast to the dark colour above it; the yellow band covers the first three rows of scales; it is bordered at its lower portion by a black stripe, the same extending along the edges of the abdominal plates; for a short distance behind the head, the yellow band is wider than elsewhere on the body.
Dimensions: The species attains a maximum length of about a yard. The measurements of rather a small adult, from St. Louis, Mo., follow:
Distribution: The valley of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers, from the Great Lakes to Texas (inclusive).
Habits: Graham's Water Snake is an agile and timid species, frequenting the borders of streams and lakes. Several specimens taken near St. Louis, were hiding under decaying logs, near the edge of a pond; secreted nearby, under chips of bark, were a number of very young specimens.

Another of the striped Water Snakes. In size and conformation similar to the preceding species.

The yellow colour extends forward upon the head, and upward to the centre of the eye. The abdomen is yellowish and a black stripe is generally present on its central portion.

Total Length . . . . .25 inches.

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

Diameter of Body . . . . .5/8 inches.

Width of Head . . . . .7/16 inches.

Length of Head . . . . .3/4 inches.

From these measurements it will be observed that the head is small, as compared with the diameter of the body.