16 



Genus NERODIA, Baird & Girard. 



Gen. Char. Body generally stout, and almost all the species attaining a 

 large size. Tail one-fifth or one-fourth of the total length. Scales cari- 

 nated. Cephalic plates normal. Anterior orbitals generally 1, occasional- 

 ly 2 ; posterior 3, occasionally 2. Last and sometimes penultimate 

 abdominal scutellse bifid ; subcaudal, all bifid or divided. Dorsal rows 

 of scales 23 - 29. Abdominal scutellse 133 - 154 ; subcaudal, 6G - 80. 

 General color, three series of dark blotches on a lighter ground, some- 

 timest almost uniform brown or blackish. Abdomen unicolor or macu- 

 lated. Habits aquatic. 



Syn. Nerodia, B. & G. 1. c. (1853), 38. 



G. Nerodia sipedon, B. ^ G. — Watcrsnake. 



Spec. Char. Head rather narrow, elongated. One anteorbital; three postorLitals. 

 Vertical plate smaller, and occipitals larger than in N. fasciata. Length of ver- 

 tical equal to commissural line of occipitals. Inframaxillary plates extending near 

 to posterior extremity of seventh lower labials. Dull brown, with narrow trans- 

 verse light bands margined with black. Dorsal rows 23. 142-(-l, 68, 23, 35, 85 

 (Penn.). 



SYNONYMS. 



Coluber sipedon, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. 1766, 379.— Gm. L. Syst. Nat. ed. xiii. I. iii. 



1788, 1098.— Haul. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. V. 1827, 351.— Thomps. 



Hist, of Verm. 1842, 118. 

 Coluber pcecilogaster, Max. Wied. Raise Inn. Nord. Amer. I. 1839, 106. 

 Tropidonotus sipedon, Holbr. N. Amer. Herp. III. 1842, 29,'pl.vi. — Dekay, N. 



York Fauna, III. 1842, 42, pi. xiv. f. 31. 

 Nerodia sipedon, B. 8t G. 1. c. (1853), 38. 



The watersnake is an abundant species, although, from living along the 

 edge of the water, and plunging in on the slightest alarm, it is not often 

 captured. It may sometimes be seen in large numbers, coiled together in some 

 bush overhanging a stream or pond. 



This species has not a very extended range, being replaced in the Southern 

 States by the N. fasciata, and in the far west by other species. It is, how- 

 ever, abimdant from IMassachusetts to Wisconsin, and as far south as Virginia 

 and Ohio. 



