The Brown Snakes 



Total Length ............................ 10 inches. 



Length of Tail ........................... 2 T V 



Diameter of Body ........................ \ 



Width of Head .......................... 



Length of Head 



Distribution. The species inhabits much the same areas 

 as the DeKay's Snake. It is abundant in some portions of 

 southern Canada, and is found over the United States generally 

 east of the Rocky Mountains, whence it extends into Mexico. 

 However, it is not so generally abundant as the DeKay's Snake. 

 It appears to be restricted to certain areas, where it is common, 

 but between which only occasional specimens may be found. 

 In the mountainous regions of New York and New Jersey it is 

 particularly abundant. 



Habits. Very similar in its actions to the preceding species. 

 It hides under flat stones or among loose rocks, venturing abroad 

 late in the afternoon. The food consists of earthworms, slugs 

 and the soft-bodied grubs of beetles. These little snakes live 

 well in a terrarium, where, upon a diet of earthworms, they will 

 subsist for several years, becoming very tame and taking their 

 food from the hand. 



The Red-bellied Snake is viviparous, producing from eight 

 to twelve young. The young are so diminutive that a large 

 earthworm appears quite gigantic in comparison. One of these 

 youngsters could coil comfortably upon a dime and leave a per- 

 ceptible margin all around it. Following are observations upon 

 the birth of several broods: 



August 1 8th. Brood of 8. Female from Sullivan County, N. Y. 



22nd. 

 23rd. 



Sept. 



25th. 

 26th. 

 27th. 

 3oth. 

 4th. 



7- 



7- 



'3- 



9- 



7- 



I 



The average length of these young snakes was three and 

 a quarter inches. Within an hour or so after birth they com- 

 menced shedding their skin, after which process they appeared 

 black and velvety. 



270 



