2l8 



VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF THE UNITED STATES 



di Neck spots H-shaped E. o. confinis. 



do Neck spots not H-shaped E. vtdpina. 



C2 Body uniform black E. o. ohsolcta. 



E. quadriviUata (Holbrook). Chicken snake. Length 1,500 mm.; 

 tail 300 mm.; color yellow or light brown, with 4 dark brown or 

 black stripes; scales in 27 rows: southeastern and Gulf States, from 

 North Carolina to the Mississippi River; arboreal; often around chicken 

 houses, where they feed on rats, young chickens and eggs. 



E. IcBta (Baird & Girard) 

 {Coluber emoryi B. & G.). 

 Length 800 mm.; tail 160 mm.; 

 color gray, with a dorsal series 

 of large rectangular brown 

 blotches alternating with 2 more 

 or less distinct smaller series 

 on each side: Missouri and 

 Kansas to Mexico; common 

 towards the south. 



E. guttata (L.). Corn-snake. 

 Length 1,000 mm.; tail 160 mm.; 

 greatest length i ,750 mm. ; color 

 reddish or yellowish brown, with 

 a dorsal series of about 54 large 

 red, black-bordered blotches; 

 belly white, with black spots: 

 south Atlantic and Gulf States 

 from Maryland to Louisiana; 

 common. 



E. ohsoleta (Say) (Fig. 119). 

 Length 1,800 mm.; tail 300 mm.; greatest length 2,400 mm.; color 

 black to gray, with the edges of the scales often yellow, and often 

 a series of large dark dorsal blotches; throat white; belly dark, more 

 or less blotched: Massachusetts to the Gulf; westward to Illinois and 

 Texas. 



Subspecies of E. obsoleta 



E. 0. obsoleta (Say). Pilot blacksnake. Color uniform black: 

 northern States. 



E. 0. confinis (B. & G.). Color gray, with large, irregular dark 

 dorsal spots and smaller lateral spots: south Atlantic and Gulf States; 

 Missouri. 



Fig. 119. — Elaphe obsoleta {from Cope). 



