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Leconte's Snake
Colouration.—The pattern is difficult to describe and quite variable. There are usually alternating black and red blotches on the back, the latter perfectly square; the black extends farther downward on the sides. On the lower part of the sides many of the scales may be orange with red centres, and others red with black centres.
Dimensions.—Total Length . . . . . 2 feet.
Distribution.—Western Texas and southwestern Kansas to California.
Habits.—Much like the Scarlet Snake (Cemophora). It is a constrictor, feeding upon small rodents, lizards and the young of other snakes. The young are produced from eggs.
Distribution.—Massachusetts to Florida; westward to the Missouri.
Distribution.—Florida and Georgia to the Mississippi.
Distribution.—United States west of the Mississippi; northern Mexico.
Colouration.—The body-colour may be yellow, brown or reddish, with an irregular pattern, consisting of large patches of dark brown or black upon the back from the neck to the base of the tail, where they assume the formation of half-rings. These blotches are separated by interspaces of ground-colour that show a more intensified hue than upon the sides. In alternation with the blotches on the back is a row of smaller blotches on each side. The edges of the abdominal plates are generally blotched or profusely spotted with black. The central portion of the abdomen is yellowish or greenish.
Dimensions.—The measurements given are of an average-sized specimen:
Distribution.—The wide distribution may be concisely out-lined thus: Southern Massachusetts to Florida (inclusive) and westward to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. An abundant species in dry, sandy places.
Size moderate--often a yard long. Head scales normal; usually one large preocular plate; one loreal plate. Scales in 23 rows.
On many specimens, the paler (square) blotches on the back are deep orange, with a brick-red dot in the centre of each scale.
Frequent specimens are black with brick-red half-rings. These are sometimes called "coral" snakes.
Abdomen white or yellow, with black blotches on the ends of some of the plates.
The single plates under the tail should at once indentify this species.
Length of Tail . . . . . 3 3/8 inches.
Greatest Diameter . . . . . 1/2 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 7/16 inches.
Length of Head . . . . . 9/16 inches.
Three North American Species that are Interesting from Their Peculiar Form and Habits
THICK-BODIED, pugnacious in aspect and actions, and provided with a peculiar upturned and shovel-like snout, the snakes of this genus may be readily recognised. Their scales are keeled, imparting a dull surface to the body, while the pattern is arranged in rather striking cross-bands or blotches, all of which characters tend to place these creatures in very bad repute in the minds of many popular observers. However, this condition has been intensified by habits these snakes evince of flattening the head and neck to a great degree and hissing loudly. They are the familiar and dreaded puff "adders," flat-headed "adders" or sand "vipers." In spite of their antics, they are quite harmless, and, in fact, their manaeuvres consist largely of bluff for they rarely attempt to bite.
In the habit of dilating the neck, these snakes resemble the cobras of the Old World and the process is performed in the same manner as with the latter reptiles--namely, by means of long ribs that lie close against the backbone when the body is in a passive condition, and spread laterally when the snake is excited or angry.
With the species of Heterodon, the dentition differs from that of the greater number of the harmless, colubrine snakes. On each side of the back portion of the upper jaw, separated by some space from the other teeth, are two large, fang-like teeth. These are entirely devoid of poisonous properties, however, and are employed by the snake to hold its prey, as the reptile possesses no power of bodily constriction. These snakes feed principally upon toads.
Three species of the Hog-nosed Snakes--these comprising the entire genus Heterodon--inhabit North America. They frequent dry, sandy places. An outline of these species is given:
a. Central portion of abdomen yellow or greenish.
Ground-colour yellow, brown, reddish or olive, with large, dark blotches on back and smaller ones on sides. Sometimes entirely black. Pattern rather irregular.
COMMON HOG-NOSED SNAKE, H. platyrhinus.
Gray or brown, with large blotches on back and smaller ones on sides. The pattern is fairly regular. Smaller than preceding species, with sharper snout.
SOUTHERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE, H. simus.
b. Central portion of abdomen, black.
Yellowish; large blotches on back and two rows of smaller ones on sides. Snout very sharply upturned.
WESTERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE, H. nasicus.
Detailed descriptions of these species follow:
THE COMMON HOG-NOSED SNAKE (Also known as Spreading Adder, Puff Adder, Flat-headed Adder, Blow Snake and Sand Viper.)