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Three-lined Boa
Colouration.—Pale yellow or brownish, with three vividly defined dark brown stripes or bands, extending from the snout to the end of the tail; the central of these bands is four scales wide and those on each side of it are five scales wide; the bands are separated by spaces three and a half scales in width.
Distribution.—The original specimens were found in swamps among the mountains near Cape St. Lucas, Lower California.
Colouration.—Brown, gray or olive; abdomen yellow and immaculate. There is no pattern.
Dimensions.—Total Length . . . . . 15 1/2 inches.
Distribution.—The Pacific region generally, from Washington (inclusive) to Lower California; eastward to central Nevada. This species ranges farther from the equator than any other of the Boidae.
Habits.—Several examples of this stubby little boa have been under the writer's observation. They are very shy and if their cage is provided with a layer of moss or sand, will at once work their way into it, indicating subterraneous habits, when in a wild state. Their actions are much like those displayed by the Old World sand boas (Eryx). They have a mild disposition and can be handled without showing any signs of hostility. Occasional specimens will contract the body into a series of veritable knots and twists, and assume so spherical an outline that they may be rolled about like a ball.
Distribution.—United States east of the Mississippi.
Distribution.—South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Distribution.—United States west of the Mississippi, except in Indiana and Illinois; southward to Mexico.
Distribution.—New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico.
Distribution.—Indiana to the Rockies; Canada to Texas. A very common species.
Distribution.—Ohio and Indiana.
Distribution.—Central Plains to the Pacific Coast.
Distribution.—Western Texas to Arizona; Mexico.
Distribution.—The entire United States and Mexico.
Distribution.—Southern New Mexico and northern Mexico.
Distribution.—But one specimen known--from Arizona.
Eye larger than that of the preceding.
Charina bottae,*A single specimen was described by Prof. Cope as C. brachyops; it differs from bottae in the absence of a loreal plate, bringing the postnasal in contract with the preocular and in the rear prefrontal forming a part of the orbit. (Blainville)
Size moderate. Form very stout. The tail is almost as blunt as the head, hence one of the popular names--two-headed snake. Scales of the body very small; smooth and shining. Forward portion of head with fair-sized shields.
Length of Tail . . . . . 2 1/4 inches.
Greatest Diameter . . . . . 1/2 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 3/8 inches.
Length of Head . . . . . 11/16 inches.
As captives, these snakes are fairly hardy and will eat young mice and very small birds, constricting the prey in the same fashion as the giant members of the Boidae.
CHAPTER XXVI: THE STRIPED SNAKES--GARTER SNAKES
A Genus of North American Snakes that are Noted for their Abundance and the Great Variation of Pattern Among Some of the Species--Key to the Identification of Species--Detailed Descriptions--Keys to the Identification of Varieties--Habits
THE species of this genus are characteristic from their pattern--usually three narrow yellow stripes upon a darker groundcolour. One of the stripes is upon the back; the others are on the lower portions of the sides.
The Striped Snakes are the most abundant of North American serpents. They frequent every portion of the continent in which snakes are found and extend as far southward as Central America. From a structural standpoint, they are closely related to the water snakes (Tropidonotus)--a relationship also demonstrated by the semi-aquatic habits of some of the species. All of the species produce living young and generally to a large number, which condition explains the general abundance of these reptiles.
As the Striped Snakes feed entirely upon cold-blooded prey--frogs, toads, fishes and worms, they cannot be classed as useful to the agriculturist. However, all of the species are quite harmless and inoffensive.
It is with real misgiving that the writer begins this chapter, for no genus of North American serpents is so difficult to describe as the present one--and particularly, to treat in a popular manner. Among several of the species the variations in pattern are so elaborate, that to describe the different species on the basis of colouration alone would be to bring about a meaningless repetition of exhaustive details. The commoner species vary to a bewildering degree, and in such a fashion that the beginner might be led to mistake a pronounced variety of one species for the typical form of another.