THE REPTILES OF OHIO 37 



during a few minutes' hunt, but only rarely was more than one taken under 

 any one rock. 



Milk snakes often were found in the vicinity of colonies of worm snakes 

 and are probably important enemies of the latter species; on one occasion a 

 milk snake disgorged a worm snake shortly after being captured. The black 

 king snake, ground snake, Storer's snake and the ring-necked snake were also 

 obtained at one time or another with worm snakes. The ring-necked snake 

 was uncommon where the worm snake was abundant and vice versa. In 

 certain parts of Scioto County the present species appears to be the dominant 

 woodland snake. 



Most specimens were collected during May and a few were taken in April 

 and early June; later in the season as the hills and woods became drier, the 

 surface of the ground was apparently less favorable and worm snakes evidently 

 retired to moister situations less accessible to the collector. Three individuals 

 were taken in a decaying log in August; no others were found during the 

 summer or fall months. 



When a worm snake was held in the hand, the head and the stout pointed 

 tail both sought crevices into which the snake could burrow its way. None 

 of the many specimens examined attempted to bite. 



What the worm snake eats is not well known. Captive specimens fed 

 upon earthworms. Atkinson (1901, 147) found an earthworm in one, Hol- 

 brook (1842, III, 116) mentions insects and Ditmars (1936, 261) states 

 that "the species feeds largely upon earthworms and the soft bodied grubs of 

 insects." 



The breeding habits of this species have been noted by Blanchard (1925b, 

 373-82) from observations made upon specimens secured in southern Indiana. 

 During the early part of July, females collected by him deposited clutches of 

 small white eggs varying in number from 2 to 5. These were laid in the 

 decayed wood provided; they hatched about two months later. "The eggs, 

 upon deposition, were entirely separate." Measurements showed them to vary 

 from 17 to 27.5 mm. in length and from 7.5 to 9 mm. in width. Upon hatch- 

 ing the young snakes were 87 to 105 mm. (3.42 to 4.13 inches) long. 



Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Merrem) 



Ring-Necked Snake 



Description. — A small snake occasionally attaining a length of about a foot 

 and a half. Largest adult Ohio specimen ( 9 ), 19% inches in length; smallest 

 juvenile hatched in captivity, 4% inches (a specimen collected May 30, 1931 

 in Hocking County measured 4i/4 inches). Head small, flattened and but 

 little distinct from neck. Eye small. Head plates normal. Two nasals, the 

 nostril lateral and between them. Loreal present. Body slender and sub- 

 cylindrical. Tail slender, moderately long and tapering to a point. 



Dorsal scale rows normally 15 throughout the length, but 15-13, 15-14 and 

 15-17-15, respectively, in 3 individuals; the scales smooth. Upper labials 8, 



