THE REPTILES OF OHIO 



97 



A pattern of three yellow stripes on an olive brown to deep brown (some- 

 times almost black) ground. A double alternating row of black spots in the 

 ground color between the stripes, these obsolete in the majority of specimens, 

 but readily apparent in others, especially when the skin is stretched. Ground 

 color below the lateral stripes, the same shade or somewhat lighter than above 

 them, and encroaching upon the ends of the ventrals. Top of head same 

 color as dorsal body surface; usually a pair of small yellow spots near the 

 common suture of the parietals. Dorsal stripe on the median and halves of 

 the adjacent rows of scales; the lateral stripes on the third and adjacent por- 

 tions of the second and fourth rows anteriorly and on the second and third 

 rows posteriorly. Stripes yellow, the dorsal sometimes paler than the laterals; 

 the latter occasionally orange. Chin, throat and labials yellowish. Belly pale 

 greenish with a small black spot at either end of each ventral scute, these spots 

 tending to widen laterally and sometimes becoming confluent with their part- 

 ners on the anterior portion of the scutes. 



Specimens examined, 436; specimens preserved, 91; specimens studied, 39. 



Map 23. Ohio locality records and general 

 range of Butler's Garter Snake, Thamnophis 

 butleri 



