THE REPTILES OF OHIO 103 



the adjacent rows of scales and a lateral stripe on the second and third rows 

 of scales. In many individuals the dorsal stripe may be lacking, in others the 

 lateral stripes may so blend with the ground color below them as to appear 

 to be nearly, if not quite obsolete. 



The stripes are usually of some shade of yellow, but they may be greenish, 

 bluish or brownish. The ground color between them varies from black, dark 

 brown or greenish olive to light olive; the first row of scales is similar in color, 

 but almost always lighter. A double row of dark spots, separated by lighter 

 interspaces, may be seen between the stripes; in some specimens and especially 

 in many of those from southern Ohio the spots are well defined and prom- 

 inent, but in others they may be faint or appear only when the skin is 

 stretched. Occasionally the interspaces between the spots may be red. 



Specimens examined, 788; specimens preserved, 312; specimens studied, 107. 



Variation. — While common garter snakes exhibit a marked stability in 

 scutellation their patterns and colors are so variable that distinct names have 

 been proposed for several of the many phases. These often have been based 

 upon individual variation, however, and two or more of the so called varieties 

 may appear in a single litter of young. 



An aberrant Ohio specimen, collected 2 miles SW of Upper Sandusky, 

 Wyandot County, on July 18, 1931, merits some comment. This specimen, 

 a female 25% inches in length, shows a scutellation similar to the other com- 

 mon garter snakes from Ohio, but its lateral stripes are located upon the third 

 and fourth rows of scales instead of the second and third. The dark spots, 

 usually seen between the stripes are fairly well defined and there is a row of 

 large black spots between the lateral stripes and the ventral scales. Spots, both 

 above and below, encroach upon the lateral stripes which are further inter- 

 rupted by small dark spots spaced upon them at more or less regular intervals. 

 The sutures between the upper labials are heavily outlined with black and the 

 entire general aspect of the snake is darker than normal. 



Melanistic individuals were not uncommon in localities near the western 

 end of Lake Erie. These snakes were uniform black throughout except for a 

 few light markings on the chin and throat. Captive black females, bred in the 

 wild, gave birth to young, some of which were melanistic and some normally 

 patterned. 



Range. — Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Minnesota, Missouri and eastern 

 Texas and north to about the 52nd degree of latitude. The common garter 

 snake occurs throughout Ohio (Map 25) but is not as abundant in unglaciated 

 Ohio as in the less well drained parts of the state. Records are: 



Adams County: Green Twp. (OSM 112-3); 3 mi. E of Rome (TZS 735). 

 Allen County: Sugar Creek. Lima (USNM 21699-701). Ashland County; 

 (USNM 56074); Savannah Lakes, Clear Creek Twp. AsHTABULA County : Ashta- 

 bula Twp. (TZS 1035-6); Eagleville (CMNH) ; Geneva, Cowles Creek (USNM 

 21131); 2 mi. E of Kingsville (TZS 1025); Monroe Center (TZS 905): Tmker's 

 Hollow, Monroe Twp. (TZS 1024) ; Pymatuning Swamp, near Andover (TZS 324-6, 

 786, 919-22, 1028-9); 3 mi. NE of Richmond Center; Rock Creek, Rome Twp. 

 (OSM 204.2; TZS 1449-50); Wayne Twp. (OSM 108.1 -.3); West Andover; 

 Williamsfield (TZS 1019). Athens County: Athens (OU). Auglaize County: 



