THE REPTILES OF OHIO 101 



Specimens examined, 73; specimens preserved, 55; specimens studied, 43. 



Range. — Michigan to Maine and south to Georgia, Alabama and Mis- 

 sissippi. 



The ribbon snake is common in several locahties in northern Ohio (Map 

 24) . The well drained southern part of the state does not afford many suit- 

 able habitats. Of the specimens collected south of the glacial boundary one 

 from Vinton County was beside a roadside ditch full of water. In Coshocton 

 County two were seen and one collected along the abandoned, but still well- 

 filled, Ohio and Erie Canal. Locality records are: 



Ashtabula County: Eagleville (CMNH) ; Monroe Twp. (OSM 215.3); 

 Pymatuning Swamp, near Andover (TZS 327, 924, 1454-7) ; 3 mi. NE, of Richmond 

 Center; near Rome (TZS 1453); Lake Cardinal, Rome (CMNH); Wayne Twp. 

 (OSM 108.4); West Andover (TZS 1796). BuTLER County: Hamilton (Morse. 

 1904). Coshocton County: Ohio Canal, Oxford Twp. (TZS 1863). Cuyahoga 

 County: East Rockport, Berea (MCZ 213). Delaware County: Delaware Twp. 

 (OSM 211). Erie County: Cedar Point (BGSU; SHS) ; Sandusky (MCZ 10533). 

 Fulton County: West Fork, Swan Creek, Swan Creek Twp. (TZS 515). Geauga 

 County: Lake Kelso, Burton Twp. (TZS 820) ; Punderson Pond, Newbury Twp. 

 (OSM 363). Hardin County: 3 mi. E of Mt. Victory (TZS 76, 817). Henry 

 County: Washington Twp. (TZS 1893). Holmes County: Washington Twp. 

 (OSM 427.1). Knox County: Brinkhaven (OSM 169). Lake County: Black Run 

 Swamp, W of Fairporl (TZS 1408-9); Mentor Twp. (TZS 526). LoGAN County : 

 Indian Lake (OSM 405.1). LoRAlN CoUNTY: Oak Point (OC) ; Oberlin (OC). 

 Lucas County: Oak Openings, Holland (TZS 1, 528-31); Sylvania; Maumee 

 River, Toledo (USNM 5451); W of Toledo (TZS 1095-6); Washmgton Twp. 

 (TZS 210-2). Medina County: (Ruthven, 1908); Whipp's Ledge, Hinckley Twp. 

 (OSM 115). Portage County: .A.urora Pond, Aurora Twp. (CMNH); Hiram 

 (NU 25). Summit County: Ira (OSM 116); Twinsburg Twp. (TZS 527). Trum- 

 bull County: Kinsman (TZS 1792-3); Vernon Twp. (TZS 1015). Vinton 

 County: N of Creola (TZS 290). Wayne County: Highland Park, Wooster 

 (WC). Williams County: 1 mi. SW of Blakesley (TZS 953, 1765). 



Habitat and Habits. — The ribbon snake is widely distributed through 

 northern Ohio and in a few localities was found to be abundant. It was 

 markedly aquatic and few were seen far from some body of water; while only 

 one or two were discovered actually in this medium they usually entered it 

 at once if alarmed near it. On two occasions, however, individuals darted 

 toward it and came to a complete stop at its edge. There they remained 

 motionless until the collector approached when they went in without further 

 hesitation. 



Once in the water, ribbon snakes swam rapidly upon its surface and field 

 notes indicate that none dived to the bottom as did many water snakes. Along 

 large bodies of water the tendency was for them to skirt the shore and hide 

 in any vegetation which might be present, but in small streams or ditches 

 they swam to the opposite side where they rested until pursued. None were 

 found in or along any of the larger streams or rivers of the state. 



Bogs, small lakes or ponds and swampy regions formed the usual habitat 

 but a number were also collected in districts subject to spring ponding and 

 summer drought. A few were in moist woods. One was discovered in a bush 

 several feet from the ground. 



