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Sonoran Ring-necked Snake
Colouration.—The typical form is dark bluish-gray above, the abdomen yellow or reddish, with numerous, small, black spots; the pale hue of the abdomen extends upward over the first row of scales. On some specimens there are traces of a yellowish or reddish collar; on the greater number this is absent.
Dimensions.—The length of an adult specimen is from twenty to twenty-four inches.
Distribution.—The Central and Western States--Illinois southward to Arizona and thence to Vera Cruz. In the Central region the species has been taken in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. It occurs in Colorado in the West.
Distribution.—One specimen known--from western Texas.
Distribution.—This phase of a Mexican species occurs in the extreme southern portion of Arizona, southwestern Texas and northern Mexico.
Distribution.—Arizona and southern California.
Distribution.—Nebraska and Louisiana to S. W. Texas; northern Mexico.
Distribution.—North Carolina to Florida; westward to the Mississippi.
Distribution.—Maryland to Florida; westward to Texas.
Distribution.—Southern New Jersey to North Carolina; westward to Illinois.
Distribution.—The New England States to North Carolina; westward to Wisconsin.
Distribution.—Maryland to South Carolina; westward to the Allegheny Mountains.
Distribution.—Minnesota to northern Texas; eastward to Indiana and westward to Kansas.
Distribution.—Southern New Jersey to Florida; westward to Louisiana.
Distribution.—California, Arizona and Nevada.
Distribution.—Southern California; Lower California.
Distribution.—Southern Illinois through the southern plains region, and south to Louisiana and western Texas.
From the other species of ring-necked snakes, this serpent may be told by the greater number of scale-rows and abdominal plates. The scales are in seventeen rows; the abdominal plates exist to the number of 183 to 237 (A. E. Brown). It is the largest species of the genus, attaining a length of two feet.
The variety arnyi is brownish-black, which dark hue extends downward to the edges of the abdominal plates.
Smooth-scaled Constricting Serpents of Small, Medium and Large Size, which Derive the Popular Title From Their Habit of Killing and Eating Both Harmless and Venomous Snakes
THE species comprising the genus Ophibolus are among the most interesting of the North American serpents. They range in size from fourteen inches to six feet in length, are of moderately stout proportions, possess smooth scales--highly polished with the greater number--and a rather small head, which is but slightly distinct from the neck. The colouration is arranged in transverse bands or rings and is of striking hues. These snakes inhabit the United States, Mexico and Central America. In the Old World they are represented by their near allies--the snakes of the genus Coronella.
Although all of the King Snakes are powerful constrictors and feed largely upon small rodents, they evince a marked inclination toward cannibalism and prey frequently upon snakes other than their own species--among these the poisonous serpents. In their combats with the latter they are often bitten, but appear to be quite immune to the action of snake poison.
To the agriculturist, the King Snakes are of considerable economic importance, as their strong, cylindrical bodies, provided for a semi-underground existence, enable them to work their way into the burrows of the injurious creatures of the fields in the reptiles' search for food. Moreover they destroy both the young and adults of the venomous snakes. However, the King Snakes are not, as is generally alleged, the sworn enemies of the dangerous serpents. They are quite as relentless in constricting and eating a harmless snake as a poisonous one. In their attitude toward man the various species are among the most mild-tempered and inoffensive of snakes. They are very hardy in captivity and will live for years.
Seven species of this genus occur in the United States--one extending slightly over the southwestern border, from Mexico. With the exception of one other species and its several varieties (inhabiting Mexico and Central America) this number represents the entire genus. Several of the species exhibit bewildering variations of the pattern--in fact, some of the varieties have attained such distinction in form and size as well as their differences in colouration from the typical reptile, that the writer feels none too sure he is correct in describing them as subspecies. Among them, however, we may trace a chain of characters, one appealing to another. Thus it appears best to regard them provisionally as varieties. They form an admirable example of the march of evolution, where the extension of habitat has brought adout different climatic conditions, inducing a change of habits; with this change, the pattern is gradually altered and Time points to the formation of a distinct species.
Following is a key to the King Snakes, embracing both the typical forms and their varieties: (Although the keys to the greater number of genera have not been arranged in tgis fashion, the writer has considered it best to thus treat this genus, owing to the striking variations in pattern as well as in colours.)