The Water SnaKes 



Distribution. — Mexico, Lower California, Arizona and Utah. 

 Habits. — The writer has never observed living specimens of 

 this snake, nor is he able to find records of its habits. 



THE FLAT-TAILED WATER SNAKE 

 Tropidonoius compressicaudus (Kennicott) 



Moderate in size and thickness of body. A short distance 

 from its base, and for the space of about a third of its length, the 

 tail is distinctly flattened. A transverse section of the tail 

 would appear as a decided oval. This portion of the tail sug- 

 gests that member as having been slightly crushed on the sides. 

 From the flattened portion, the tail very gradually tapers to a 

 slender point. 



Colouration. — The pattern is indistinct in mature indivi- 

 duals — and frequently so with the young. 



The ground-colour is greenish-gray or ashy-gray, with ob- 

 scure and irregular darker bands. On some specimens the mark- 

 ings form clouded blotches on the back, and smaller, alternating 

 blotches on the sides. The abdomen is dark gray or brown, 

 with a central series of yellow spots; the chin is darker than the 

 abdomen, with larger yellow spots. 



The head is dark, while the borders of the lip plates (both 

 upper and lower labials) are marked with yellow. 



Dimensions. — Total Length 22 j inches. 



Length of Tail 5^ 



Diameter of Bodv i 



Widthof Head. .' yV " 



Length of Head f " 



Distribution. — Confined to Florida. One variety is recognised, 

 on which the banded appearance is more pronounced, and 

 assumes the form of black stripes on the neck. It is tech- 

 nically known as T. compressicaudus ustus. 



Habits. — Beyond the fact that this species is semi-aquatic 

 and very timid — immediately taking to the water when frightened, 

 the habits are generally unknown. 



THE B.'XNDED WATER SNAKE; "MOCCASIN" 

 Tropidonoius fasciatiis, (Linn.) 

 Size large; body very stout. The head is rather flat, and 

 distinct from the neck. The scales of the body are heavily 

 keeled, imparting a dull, lustreless surface. 



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