Pacific Ground Snake

Contia mitis, (Baird & Girard)

Colouration: Dark chestnut-brown above, with a reddish-brown band on each side of the back--these bands are very obscure on some specimens; they are situated on the fourth row of scales and often margined beneath by black dots. A black streak on each side of the head, from the eye to angle of the mouth. Abdominal plates yellow, broadly margined with black.
Dimensions: Following are the measurements of a small adult:
Distribution: The Pacific region, from Washington (inclusive) to California (inclusive).
Distribution: U. S. east of the Mississippi; Canada. 210, or a lesser number of abdominal plates. Brown or gray above; yellow or red beneath.
Distribution: Western States and the Pacific region.
Distribution: Central region--Ohio to Colorado; southward into Mexico.

Largest of the North American species, reaching a length of 16 inches. Body rather stout; tail very short; head flat, blunt at the snout and not distinct from the neck.

Total Length . . . . . 11 1/2 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 2 3/8 inches.

Greatest Diameter . . . . . 1/4 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 3/16 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 3/8 inches.

Small, Smooth-scaled Serpents with Characteristic Markings

THE genus Diadophis is composed of four, small species. Three inhabit the United States and Mexico; one species occurs on the island of New Providence, in the Bahamas.

The North American species are characteristic in their peculiar colouration--a bright yellow ring about the neck and in bold contrast to the sombre body-colour, either uniform dark gray or brown. These snakes are of rather slender build. The scales are smooth and glossy. All are of small size and secretive habits.

As is usually the case with small serpents, the colouration and conformation of the species are quite similar and it is impossible to present strictly popular descriptions that would be of value in actual identification. Thus it is necessary to count the rows of scales and the plates of the abdomen, to properly separate the species. Locality alone, however, will in many instances determine the name of a specimen; hence in the following key, the distribution of each species is given.

Key to the Ring-necked Snakes

a. A bright yellow ring on neck. Body uniform gray or brown.

*Fifteen rows of scales.

160, or a lesser number of abdominal plates. Gray or brown above; yellow beneath.

EASTERN RING-NECKED SNAKE, D.punctatus.

WESTERN RING-NECKED SNAKE, D. amabilis.

b. Yellow collar obscure or absent.

**Seventeen rows of scales.

Dark gray or blackish; yellow or red beneath.

SONORAN RING-NECKED SNAKE, D. regalis.

Several varieties are worthy of notice and will be treated in the detailed descriptions that follow: