Pacific Bull Snake, "yellow Gopher Snake"

Pituophis catenifer, (Blainville)

Colouration: Dull yellowish-brown, with small and square reddish-brown (or black) blotches on the back. These blotches exist to a considerably greater number than with the snakes of the genus already described, are much smaller, and closely succeeding one another. On the sides is a very obscure series of smaller blotches. Beneath, the colour is yellowish, with small and dark blotches at the edges of the abdominal plates.
Dimensions: The Pacific Coast Bull Snake does not appear to attain so great a length as the species inhabiting the prairies. Following are the measurements of an adult specimen:
Distribution: The Pacific Coast region, west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Habits: There is but little variation between the habits of this snake and the other species of the genus. It is fairly hardy as a captive if kept very warm and dry. Judging from observations of a fair series of specimens, this snake is of a less vicious disposition than the other species. When greatly disturbed it hisses loudly and vibrates the tail.

Moderately large in size and stout of form, but with proportionately smaller head than the preceding.

Variations.--There is considerable variation of the colour of the blotches on the back. These vary from intense black on some specimens, to reddish-brown on others. Young specimens are marked like the parent.

Total Length . . . . . 4 ft. 7 inches.

Diameter of Body . . . . . 1 1/4 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 9 1/2 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 7/8 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 1 1/2 inches.

Representatives of the Genera CYCLOPHIS and LIOPELTIS--Small Serpents That are of a Uniform, Pale Green Above, and Thus Characteristic Among North American Snakes

Two species of small, pale green serpents occur in North America, where both are widely distributed. Owing to their uniform colour--without traces of markings--they are quite distinct and may be immediately recognised. However, to the popular eye, it may appear difficult to separate these species, as one precisely matches the other in colouration of the upper surface. It is by the scalation that they may be at once recognised. Although closely related, they belong to different genera. Peculiar to say, both of these snakes appeal to genera that contain a number of Old World species, while the North American species stand as single representatives of their groups in the New World. A simple key for the determination of these snakes is given, and is followed by detailed descriptions of the American species and the genera to which they belong:

Scales keeled; green above; yellowish beneath.

KEELED-SCALED GREEN SNAKE, Cyclophis aestivus.

Scales smooth; green above, whitish beneath.

GREEN SNAKE; GRASS SNAKE, Liopeltis vernalis.

The Genus Cyclophis: A number of species occur in the temperate and tropical regions of Asia. All are of small size and the majority are of a uniform green, yellow or brown above. These reptiles show arboreal habits and are mainly insectivorous. A description of the only North American species follows: