British Reptiles and Amphibians 



THE RINGED OR GRASS SNAKE (Tropidonotus natrix, 

 Plate VIII.). 



This reptile is not infrequently spoken of as the 

 Common Snake, but, although it is located in England, 

 it does not seem to have crossed St. George's Channel ; 

 and even its appearance north of the Tweed is worthy 

 of record. 



It is an oviparous reptile, and lays some one and a half 

 dozen eggs, or more, at a time. These eggs, which are 

 white-shelled and nearly the size of a pigeon's egg, are 

 usually deposited amongst fermenting material during 

 the months of July or August, where they hatch out with 

 the assistance of the heat of such material, aided by the 

 warmth of the sun's rays. The eggs themselves are 

 clubbed together by a glutinous secretion. The female 

 on leaving them takes no further interest in their 

 incubation, and evidently forgets about her prospective 

 progeny. It thus happens that the young reptiles 

 have to shift for themselves once th y are hatched. 

 And, be it said, they miss no time in going upon the 

 warpath in quest of Slugs, Worms, etc. 



Popularly speaking, this Snake is the most common 

 of all snakes south of the Tweed. No truly defined 

 colour or marking can be put down by way of identifi- 

 cation of this species, as these features are so variable. 

 As a general rule the colour may be dense olive green 

 or a greyish-green. Beneath, the colour is usually 

 dull or dirty white, with a few dark spots. Two 



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