THE REPTILES OF OHIO 55 



Range. — The Rocky Mountains east to Michigan, central Ohio and to the 

 Mississippi River south of its junction with the Ohio; north from the Rio 

 Grande and the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. 



The range of this form in Ohio is through the western and north central 

 counties (Map 11). Locality records are; 



Clermont County: Union Twp. (CSNH 1243; TZS 1959). Cuyahoga Coun- 

 ty: Cleveland (CMNH) ; East Rockporl, near Berea, (MCZ 214); Mayfield 

 (CMNH); North Olmsted (CMNH). Defiance County: 3 mi. SW of Defiance 

 (TZS 1426). Erie County: Berlin Heights; Cedar Point (Morse, 1904); Kelley's 

 Island (SHS; TZS 123); Milan (SHS). FuLTON CoUNTY: Near Fayette (TZS 

 827); Swanlon (TZS 784); 7 mi. N of Wauseon. Hamilton County: Cincinnati 

 (MCZ 84). Hardin County: 3 mi. E of Mt. Victory. Henry County: Texas 

 (DOR); NE corner of Washington Twp. Highland County: 1 mi. N of Hillsboro 

 (TZS 1743). Huron County: Near Fitchville (TZS 1002); Greenfield Twp. 

 (TZS 1309). Knox County: Edlam, Greer P.O., Jefferson Twp. (OSM 1901). 

 Logan County: 6 mi. N of Bellefontaine (TZS 319). Lorain County: Amherst 

 (OC); Oberlin (OC) ; North Ridgeville (CMNH). LucAS CoUNTY: Crissey; 

 Holland (TZS 474. 1803); 5 mi. SW of Maumee (TZS 1975); Little Cedar Pt., 

 Jerusalem Twp.; Sylvania Twp. (CMNH; TZS 377); Toledo (TZS 229); Wash- 

 ington Twp. (TZS 318); Whltehouse. Ottawa County: Catawba Island (TZS 

 1310); 1 mi. W of Genoa (TZS 473); Marblehead; Put-in-Bay. Paulding Coun- 

 ty: Antwerp (OEE) ; 3 mi. N of AnKverp (OEE) ; .Arthur (OSM 464). RiCHLAND 

 County: 2 mi. SW of Shilo (TZS 1195). Sandusky County: S of Genoa (TZS 

 2296); Woodville Twp. (TZS 1225). Williams County: 1 mi. SW Blakesley 

 (TZS 320, 762). Wood County: Beaver Creek midway between Grand Rapids and 

 Weston (TZS 375); Pemberville; Stony Ridge. Wyandot CountY: Near Tymoch- 

 tee (OSM 238.1). 



Habitat and Habits. — The habits of the blue racer are similar to those of 

 the black racer. Both occur in much the same types of habitats, both are 

 active snakes and the instinct to return to a specific refuge has been noted as 

 frequently in both. The food, and the feeding habits are similar and so are 

 the breeding habits. A pair of blue racers in mating position was discovered 

 in Erie County on May 12, 1930. A clutch of 25 eggs was laid by a female, 

 51/2 feet in length, from Lucas County on June 26, 1930. These were white, 

 non-adherent to one another and were covered with small salt-like particles 

 which formed a part of the shell. They measured 32 to 38, average 34.5 mm., 

 in length and 18 to 23, average 22 mm., in width. All failed to hatch. 



Three blue racers were found hibernating in a small hole about three feet 

 underground near Swanton, Fulton County, November 20, 1931. Another 

 had apparently hibernated with a massasauga near Crissey, Lucas County, 

 during the winter of 1934-35. The blue racer should be considered as a bene- 

 ficial snake and such wanton destruction as that illustrated in PI. 7, fig. 1 

 is to be deplored. 



Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Say) 

 Pilot Black Snake; Mountain Black Snake 



Description. — A large snake attaining a length of seven or eight feet 

 although averaging much less. Largest adult Ohio specimen ( $ ), 73 inches 

 in length; smallest newly hatched juvenile, I21/4 inches. Head medium and 

 somewhat distinct from the neck. Head plates normal. The nostril lateral 



