THE COMMON RINGED OR GRASS SNAKE 83 



slugs, and insects. In summer it basks in the sun on a sunny bank, 

 beneath a hedge, or under rocks or old walls. During winter it 

 remains in a state of torpidity, generally burrowing or taking 

 advantage of clefts in the ground beyond the reach of frost, for the 

 purpose of hybernating. It is ova-viviparous, the young being 

 hatched from the egg in the body of the parent before being brought 

 into the world. 



The COMMON RINGED or GRASS SNAKE (Tropidonotus or Coluber 

 natrix) (Fig. 54) belongs to the sub-order Colubrina of the order 

 Ophidia (serpents), the species name meaning Water Snake, and 

 is characterized by the large size of the upper mandible and by 

 these bones possessing solid teeth utterly devoid of a poison appara- 

 tus. The head is of rounded shape, and the upper surface is covered 

 by scuta or scales of large size. 



FIG. 54. THE COMMON RINGED OR GRASS SNAKE. 



The Ringed or Grass Snake is found in grassy places such as marshy 

 land, hedges by a wet ditch, and other situations where there is 

 plenty of cover for safe retreat. Unlike the viper, which shuns 

 the vicinity of man, the ringed snake (easily distinguished by the 

 bright band behind the head, a tinge of red sometimes giving to 

 the yellow an orange tint, and another band of deep black runs just 

 behind the yellow) seems not to fear human presence, but enters 

 pleasure grounds and gardens, and penetrates even to hotbed frames 

 and other warm places for depositing its eggs. Leaf piles, rubbish 

 and manure heaps are favourite localities for the eggs, also an old 



