The Striped Snakes — Garter Snakes 



interesting diflferences. To render these compreiicnsive, a simple 

 key is given: 



General. — 2 1 rows of scales — counted in an oblique line around 

 the body (occasionally 19). Body rather stout and with 

 three stripes (except in one variety) — the side stripe on 

 the second and third rows of^ scales. 



General Habitat. — The central plains to the Pacific 

 Coast. 



1. No markings on head. 



Blackish or olive; stripe on side not very distinct. None 

 or but faint spots between the stripes. 



PACIFIC GARTER SNAKE, E. cUgans — typical. 

 Distribution. — California to Oregon. 

 Blackish or olive; an orange stripe on the back; no 

 stripes on the sides. Abdomen greenish, throat yellow. 

 SINGLE-STRIPED GARTER SNAKE, E. elegaus injemalis. 

 Distribution. — Pacific region. 

 Greenish or ashy; a pale yellow stripe on back and sides 

 (latter faint). Rows of small, round spots between 

 stripes, some of the spots breaking central stripe. 

 One plate in front of eye (preocitlar) . 



GREEN GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans vagrans. 

 Distribution. — Central plains to Pacific Coast — 

 Oregon to California. 

 Two plates in front oj eye (preoculars.) 

 Markings like preceding. 



WASHINGTON GARTER SNAKE, E. elcgans biscutata. 

 Distribution. — Washington and Oregon. 



2. A pale crescent on each temple. 



Straw-colour, with narrow stripes and rows of large, 

 square black spots. 



marcy's GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans marciana. 

 Distribution. — Central Texas through Arizona. 

 Dark brown or olive, stripes narrow and spots indis- 

 tinct. 



couch's garter snake, E. elegans couchi. 

 Distribution. — Arizona and California. 



The Typical Form. — The typical form of this species ap- 

 peals much to several varieties of the more widely distributed 

 E. sirtalis. It is a smaller reptile however, and evinces a dif- 

 ference of the chin shields* — as do all the varieties of the species, 

 which character may be generally employed in distinguishing 

 the forms of this species from those of the allied reptile — sirtalis. 



* This useful point for identification was called to the writer's at- 

 tention by Mr. Arthur Erwin Brown. 



225 



