SERPENTS OF THE NORTHEASTERN STATES 21 



should be remembered that this reptile existed as a part of the natural 

 fauna long before human ideas resulted in lists of so-called "vermin" 

 and "predatory animals" to be destroyed, with the view of improving 

 Nature's original plans. The species is oviparous. 



General range: Central Massachusetts to Michigan; southward 

 to Florida and Texas. 



Pine Snake 



Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin) 



(Fig. 12) 



The pine snake occurs only in the southerly pine barren regions 

 of New Jersey, and southward. It is fairly common in the New Jersey 

 area. 



This is one of the largest and heaviest species of serpents in the 

 northeastern States. Specimens six feet in length are not rare. The 

 coloration is intense and rather characteristic. The usual marking is 

 dull white on the back, becoming intensely white on the sides. Down 

 the back is a series of large black blotches, closer together and not 

 sharply denned on the forward portion, but posteriorly wider apart 

 and in vivid contrast. The greater portion of the abdomen is marble 

 white. The head resembles that of a turtle, being proportionately 

 small, and the sharply pointed snout protrudes over the lower jaw. 



When annoyed, the pine snake takes a deep breath, opens its 

 mouth slightly, and by means of a small, voluntarily erectile appendage 

 in front of the breathing passage or glottis, is able to eject the air 

 with a loud, hissing sound. It is a constrictor. 



Food consists of rodents and birds. It is oviparous. 



General range: The pine barrens of southern New Jersey to 

 Florida. 



Milk Snake 



(Checkered Adder) 



Lampropeltis triangulum triangidum (Lacepede) 



(Fig. 13) 



Consideration of this species brings us to a reptile inhabiting the 

 greater part of the northeastern area. It is brightly marked, of fair 

 size, and the numerous specimens sent to us for identification indicate 

 that it is often mistaken for the copperhead, from which it may be 

 immediately distinguished by the smooth scales. Although generally 

 distributed, it is not usually common. 



