The Striped Snakes — Garter Snakes 



area it abruptly contracts to the width of but a single row of 

 scales, thence extends along the body. 



On the forward portion of the body there are large, dark 

 blotches between the stripes, which character gives way on the 

 latter portion to small spots — these bordering the stripes. Be- 

 neath the stripe on the sides is a narrow area of pale brown, 

 with a row of small black spots in contact with the stripe. 

 Along the lower edges of the first row of scales is another line of 

 spots. The abdomen is immaculate yellow, or greenish-white. 



I mmediately behind the head are two very large, dark blotches. 

 They are technically termed the nuchal spots and their presence 

 constitutes an important distinguishing feature. The upper 

 lip plates are yellow — those beneath the eye heavily bordered 

 with black. 



Dimensions. — Total Length 24^ inches. 



Length of Fail 6^ 



Diameter of Body ^ " 



Width of Head* f " 



Length of Head i " 



Distribution. — Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona; 

 northern Mexico. 



THE COMMON GARTER SNAKE 

 Eutcenia sirtalis, (Linn.) 

 Although the colours and pattern of this species exhibits 

 a great amount of variation which must be classified under the 

 head of several sub-species or varieties, the latter are not so 

 strikingly different from the typical form as is the case with 

 varieties of the Western garter snake, E. elegans. As has been 

 mentioned in the description of the latter species, there is a 

 confusing similarity between some of its forms and the present 

 species. One of the principle differences to be observed, is the 

 number of rows of scales on the body. With the Western snake 

 the scales of the greater number of specimens are in 21 rows. 

 The Common Garter Snake usually possesses 19 rows of scales. 

 There is also a difference in the structure of the chin shields — 

 figured among the illustrations. 



* Note the width of the head, which is J of an inch greater than the 

 diameter of the thickest part of the body. 



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