The King Snakes 



Banded abai'e. with fc/^fl^.^-^^T '?' 

 red, yellow and ] ^carlet K ng Snake, 

 "black Immaculate, yellow- 



[^ish-while beneath. 



From the preceding it will be understood that the Scarlet 

 King Snake and the Scarlet Snake are very similar in pattern. 

 The sharp snout and similar proportions of each intensifies the 

 resemblance. The latter species, however, may be immediately 

 recognised by its immaculate white abdomen. 1 he Scarlet 

 King Snake might be confused with the Coral Snake upon a 

 superficial examination owing to it being ringed with the same 

 colours as the latter. A very simple formula to remember is this, 

 which at once distinguishes each: The black rings of the Coral 

 Snake are broad, and bordered on each side by a very narrow yellow 

 ring. In the pattern of the small King Snake the yellow rings are 

 fairly broad and bordered on each side by slightly narrower rings of 

 black. The heads of the two reptiles are markedly different, that 

 of the venomous snake, broad and rounded; that of the harmless 

 species, sharp and conical. 



Habits. — The Scarlet King Snake is a burrowing species, 

 thus demonstrating in habits, as well in form, its degenerate char- 

 acter as compared with the other snakes of the genus Ophibolns. 

 Specimens may be most commonly found under the loose bark 

 of fallen and decaying trees. Here they prey upon the smaller 

 species of snakes, lizards or upon very young mice that are yet 

 in the nest. It is probable that this little snake issues at night 

 from its lair and searches in crevices in the bark for various lizards 

 that crawl into such places to sleep. This theory appears logical 

 after an examination of a series of preserved specimens, in which 

 the stomachs of several contained the remains of swifts (Sceloporus) 

 and "blue-tail" lizards (Eumeces). 



In captivity this snake evinces a very gentle disposition, 

 seldom offering to bite. However, it invariably burrows into the 

 soil of its cage or hides under loose objects, such as pieces of bark 

 or flat stones. Thus it constitutes a very indifferent object for 

 observation and study. While displaying a very indifferent 

 appetite as a captive, it may be occasionally induced to take 

 very young mice. Although diminutive in make-up, the reptile 

 constricts its prey in exactly the same fashion as its larger and 

 more powerful allies. 



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