THE REPTILES OF OHIO 71 



order given. One preocular; usually 3, occasionally 4 and rarely 2 postoculars. 

 Temporals usually 1-3; less often 1-2. Ventrals in males 149 to 156, average 

 151.8; in females from 149 to 157, average 153.5. Subcaudals in males 71 to 

 84, average 77; in females 64 to 74, average 67.4. Anal plate divided. 



Adults uniform black or brownish black above. Belly uniform bright red 

 or scarlet except for the antero-lateral portions of each ventral scute which are 

 black or blackish. In many adult specimens this black area is so large as to 

 cover the major portion of each ventral, thus resulting in a proportionate 

 reduction of the area occupied by the red. This condition most noticeable 

 posteriorly where occasionally the black areas form a mottled pattern. Throat 

 and chin whitish. Labials reddish, but with the sutures between them dark 

 red brown to black. 



In juveniles there is a well defined pattern of dark (usually black) blotches 

 on a reddish or brownish ground. The blotches of a middorsal series, from 31 

 to 42 in number from head to directly above the anus, are 3 or 4 scales long 

 and 9 to 11 scales wide. Alternating with the dorsal series is a lateral series 

 of smaller blotches 2 or 3 scales wide and 8 or 9 scales high, and which are 

 situated from the 8th or 9th row of scales to the edges of the ventrals. The 

 first 1 to 9, average 3.7, dorsal blotches are united with the lateral blotches to 

 form dark crossbands or saddles, but this condition does not extend back as 

 far, on the average, as in Natrix sipedon sipedon. The belly is pinkish, red- 

 dish or orange with the bases of the ventrals dark. Top of head dark; chin 

 and labials similar to adults. The juvenile pattern gradually changes to the 

 adult coloration as the snake grows older; in a specimen 33^2 inches long from 

 Blakesley, Williams County, which shows the uniform colors of the adult, the 

 juvenile pattern can be made out faintly when the specimen is held in the 

 proper light after shedding. (In preservatives the reddish areas quickly fade 

 to yellow) . 



Specimens examined, 52; specimens preserved, 33; specimens studied, 40. 



Range. — Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Carolinas to eastern Oklahoma 

 and eastern Texas, and north in the Mississippi Valley to Illinois and Indiana; 

 northwestern Ohio and extreme southern Michigan. 



The red-bellied water snake has been collected in southern Michigan 

 (Clark, 1903 and Clay, 1934) as well as in northwestern Ohio (Map 16), but 

 otherwise the nearest locality is southwestern Indiana (Blanchard, 1925b, 384) . 

 This snake was probably widespread through the intervening area at one time 

 and probably still will be found in some localities. Many suitable habitats 

 doubtless have been destroyed by the draining of ponds preliminary to agri- 

 cultural activities. The red-bellied water snake probably reached northwestern 

 Ohio from the southwest and it even might be suggested that the Wabash 

 River valley served as the avenue of migration. Locality records are: 



Hardin County: 3 mi. E of Mt. Victory (TZS 132, 386, 1662-80. 1690-1. 

 1748). Williams County: 1 mi. SW of Blakesley (OSM 443; TZS 374. 387-90. 

 1735, 1858, 1866). 



