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Striped Racer
- Colouration
- Very dark brown or black, with numerous, narrow yellow lines on the sides. White beneath for the greater portion of the length, but becoming coral pink under the tail. The chin and throat are spotted with black.
- Dimensions
- Following are the measurements of a fairsized specimen, captured in Beaver County, Utah:
- Distribution
- The southwestern United States and Mexico. It occurs in California, Utah, western Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. In Mexico the range is quite extensive.
Size fairly large; form very slender, with long, tapering tail. Eyes large.
On close examination, the scales of the sides will be seen to be yellow, with a black line extending through the centre of each; this interruption of the ground-colour imparts the appearance of narrow, yellow lines on a darker ground, as explained in the preceding paragraph. The edges of the abdominal plates usually show an elongated, black spot; these spots form a row on the greater length of the body. The yellow, striped appearance on the sides, is most vivid on the forward portion; toward the latter portion of the body it becomes diffused with the exception of the uppermost bands of pale colour, which form a bright stripe on each side of the back; the tail is usually without traces of stripes.
The head is dark--the edges of the shields narrowly margined with white or yellow; there is a light spot in front and behind the eye; the lip plates are yellow.
Variation.--The species exhibits a certain degree of variation with age, but the presence of several light bands on the sides render it easily distinguishable. One distinct variety is described.
Total Length. . . . . 4 feet, 3 inches.
Length of Tail. . . . . 1 foot, 3 1/2 inches.
Greatest Diameter. . . . . 5/8 inches.
Width of Head. . . . . 9/16 inches.
Length of Head. . . . . 1 1/4 inches.