16 SERPENTS OF THE NORTHEASTERN STATES 



General range: Southern New England to Florida; westward to 

 Illinois. 



Ring-necked Snake 



Diadophis jmnctatus edwardsii (Merrem) 



(Fig. 2) 



The ring-necked snake is so unusual in coloration and pattern 

 that it may be distinguished at a glance. It is small, seldom thicker 

 than a quarter of an inch or five-sixteenths of an inch, its smooth 

 scales are lustrous gray or bluish-black, with a brilliant yellow ring 

 around the neck immediately behind the head, in vivid contrast to the 

 body coloration. Beneath, the color is orange-yellow and there is 

 usually a single row of black spots along the center of the abdomen. 

 The length of adult specimens is from ten to fifteen inches. 



Ring-necked snakes frequent damp woods and may be found under 

 flat stones or burrowing beneath the bark of decaying trees. Num- 

 bers of them are sometimes to be found under the top stones of old, 

 broken dams which no longer act as spillways. Distribution is quite 

 general, although the species is more abundant in hilly areas. 



The food consists of small salamanders and earthworms. The 

 species is oviparous. 



General range: Southern Canada to the mountains of the Caro- 

 linas; westward to Wisconsin. The typical form inhabits the south- 

 eastern States. One subspecies extends westward to Texas. 



Hog-nosed Snake 



(Spreading Adder, Hissing Adder) 



Heterodon contortrix (Linne) 



(Figs. 3, 4, 5) 



This is a very interesting snake. No other species among the 

 local harmless serpents exhibits such marked, characteristic habits. 

 When frightened, it will flatten a considerable portion of the neck by 

 means of elongated ribs which are spread laterally. The head also 

 becomes broad and flat, is tilted to one side, or slowly waved in threat- 

 ening fashion, while the reptile exhales its breath in long, sharp, hisses. 

 During these manifestations it presents a sinister appearance. It is 

 quite natural that this harmless species has an evil reputation. 



Most of these snakes are slain during their harmless bluffing and 

 have no opportunity to exhibit their final resort to escape the intruder. 

 This is in feigning death. The hissing ceases, the body writhes as 

 though in pain, the neck is arched and the jaw drops open. The rep- 



