The King Snakes 



Disirihidion. — It appears that this variety takes the place 

 of triangulus in the southern portion of the latter's range and 

 thus forming the connecting link in the distribution of varieties 

 with tlie typical form — a Southern reptile. The range of the 

 Red Milk Snake extends some distance northward into that of 

 the Northern form and they intermingle from southern New 

 Jersey westward to the Mississippi. The present form extends 

 southward to Georgia. 



Variations. — The sub-species under consideration is itself 

 subject to some variation of pattern — although the differences 

 are but superficial. On certain specimens, the first light patch 

 of colour behind the head extends as a half ring around the neck 

 instead of being confined to a circular area above. From a spec- 

 imen showing this slight variation was based the variety " col- 

 laris." Sometimes the light patch of colour extends forward 

 to the temples — a character eliciting the name "temporalis." 

 If such varieties are to be considered of good standing, future 

 investigations with large series of reptiles would cause our lists 

 of the North American serpents and lizards — many species of 

 which vary almost individually as specimens — to attain stupen- 

 dous proportions. 



Habits. — The habits of this pretty creature in no way differ 

 from those of the Northern form. Freshly captured specimens 

 evince an irritable disposition, but soon become tame. They 

 vibrate the tail rapidly when annoyed. If a newly caught 

 specimen is handled, it will run its snout over the flesh in a deliber- 

 ate fashion, as if seeking for a tender spot on which to employ 

 its minute teeth and finally bite and retain its hold, advancing 

 the jaws forward in chewing fashion in emphasis of its displeasure. 

 Specimens in the writer's collection were indifferent in their 

 feeding. A few were induced to take very young mice. One 

 specimen ate a green snake {Liopeltis vernalis). 



This is one of the useful reptiles. It leads a generally secre- 

 tive life, prowling about stone piles or under the loose bark of 

 fallen and decaying timber, in which situations it feeds largely 

 upon wild mice and rats, occasionally varying the diet with lizards 

 and snakes. If captive specimens are in good trim a mix-up is 

 liable at feeding time. Fighting for a mouse the examples may 

 knot into a constricting ball, in which the smaller ones are 

 liable to be crushed. 



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