The Racers 



The lightest specimens are from the western portion of the 

 Mississippi Valley. Individuals from the Pacific Region are 

 dull olive. 



Dimensions. The writer's largest specimen is four and a 

 half feet long. 



Distribution. The United States generally, west of the 

 Mississippi River. 



Habits. Like the typical form. 



THE COACH WHIP SNAKE 

 Zamenis flagelliformis, (B. & G.) 



Form very slender; tail very long. One of the largest 

 species, attaining a length of eight feet. Head narrow. 



Colouration. Forward portion of the body black, or very 

 dark brown, becoming paler toward the latter half; the tail 

 is pale brown. 



White beneath, the plates of the underside showing clouded 

 edges on the neck and throat; plates under the latter portion of 

 the body immaculate white or yellow. 



Variations. Some specimens are sooty-black for two- 

 thirds the length of the body, but become brownish, or dark 

 gray toward the tail. Such are usually from South Carolina, 

 Georgia and northern Florida. Many specimens from southern 

 Florida are pale brown on the head and neck and pale greenish- 

 gray for the greater length of the body. In the extreme West, 

 this species exhibits a decidedly reddish colouration, which 

 variation is described under a separate head. 



Young specimens of the Coachwhip Snake are mottled in 

 a fashion similar to the colouration of the young blacksnake, 

 but they retain this spotted pattern to a considerably greater 

 age than the young of the allied species; the pattern may some- 

 times be discerned on individuals that are almost mature- 

 especially when the skin has been freshly cast. One Western 

 variety retains the pattern throughout maturity; this has been 

 described separately. 



Dimensions. The species attains a length of eight feet, 

 which size represents a very large specimen. Following are 

 the measurements of a specimen from Marion County, Flor- 

 ida: 



286 



