240 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



C. Habitat and Distribution. 



On account of its food the ringed snake frequents localities abounding 

 in frogs and fish. It is to be found throughout the whole of Europe 

 except the Far North (why not there ?), on the banks of brooks and rivers, 

 and in marshes, swamps, and damp woods. 



D. The Colour of its Scaly Coat 



corresponds to the nature of its habitat. In swampy localities it is 

 of an almost uniform black; in woody districts, on the other hand, 

 brownish, like dry foliage. In other places it assumes a grey, bluish, or 

 greenish tint. Several rows of black spots render the animal still more 

 inconspicuous. This perfectly harmless species is easily distinguishable 

 from all other native species by two white or yellow crescent- shaped 

 spots at the back of the head. The scales of the back show in the 

 centre a small elevation, or keel. The animal casts its skin several times 

 during the year, pulling it off in one piece over its body while winding 

 about among herbage, etc., just as one turns the finger of a glove inside 

 out. The resemblance of the colour of the skin of this animal to that of 

 the ground serves to hide its presence from its prey, and also affords an 

 important means of protection from its numerous enemies, among which 

 we must class foxes, martens, hedgehogs, pigs, storks, buzzards, etc. 



E. Reproduction and Hibernation. 



The female in summer lays in loose earth, among damp moss, etc., a 

 large number (up to 36) of white-shelled eggs, about the size of pigeons' 

 eggs. In Germany they are popularly known as " cock's eggs." It 

 passes its hibernating sleep in all sorts of recesses to which frost cannot 

 penetrate. 



Other Non-Venomous Snakes. 



The Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca), a species closely allied to 

 the ringed snake, is common in the mountainous districts of Germany, 

 and is occasionally found in the South of England. It only attains to 

 a length of about 25 inches. Its colour is usually brown, like the 

 dry herbage of the soil (what is the importance of this?). From the 

 viper it is easily distinguished by a dark spot on the back of the neck, 

 and two rows of similarly coloured spots which extend along the back. 

 It gets its name "smooth" snake from the fact that its scales are 

 perfectly smooth, not keeled like those of the ringed snake. Its food 

 consists principally of lizards (L. vivipara) and blind worms. For these 



