34. LAMPROPELTIS 



present. One preocular. Two or three postoculars. Tem- 

 porals normally two followed by three, sometimes 2+4. 

 Seven (rarely eight) superior and nine, 10, 11 or 12 inferior 

 labials, fifth and sixth superior and fifth inferior usually 

 largest, third and fourth superior reaching eye, first pair of 

 inferior meeting on median line. Genials in two pairs, 

 anterior larger than posterior. Scales on body smooth, thin, 

 imbricate, usually in 23, sometimes 25, rows. Anal plate 

 not divided. Gastrosteges varying in number from 216 

 to 235. Urosteges in two series of from 71 to 79. 



The snout is yellowish white, unmarked or slightly 

 spotted. The middle third of the head is black. A yellow- 

 ish white band crosses the back of the head, involving the 

 tips of the parietal plates, and joining the white of the 

 throat. Behind this white one is a half ring of black, fol- 

 lowed in turn by another of red. The whole body is similarly 

 marked, being encircled by from 39 to 47 white rings* be- 

 tween which are rings of black more or less divided and 

 replaced by blotches or rings of red or pink. The propor- 

 tion of black to red varies greatly in different specimens, 

 as does also the intensity of the red. The colors of the 

 back and sides are continued, somewhat irregularly, onto 

 the lower surfaces. The white rings are little if at all 

 broader on the sides than on the back. 



Length to anus 688 830 



Length of tail 147 185 



Distribution. — This snake occurs in Arizona, Utah, New 

 Mexico and northern Mexico. It probably is confined to 

 the mountain ranges and coniferous forests. 



In Utah, it has been taken at Granger, Salt Lake County, 

 and at 7,000 feet in Beaver Canyon, Beaver County. 



•Not counting the 10 to l6 on the tail. 



