The Water Snakes 



a resemblance to the Southern and typical form, this snake al- 

 ways bears a more decidedly brownish aspect. The abdomen 

 is brilliantly spotted with red, and with black as is the former 

 reptile. 



Variations. Very old specimens lose the pattern and be- 

 come an almost uniform brown. The young snakes are strik- 

 ingly marked. They are pale gray, with jet black cross-bands; 

 the abdomen is grayish, and the rich, brick-red spots of the adult 

 are represented by spots of black. During the second year 

 they rapidly take on the brown of the parent. 



Dimensions. Female specimens attain a large size and 

 may slightly exceed four feet, but such proportions are above 

 the average. The measurements quoted represent the size of 

 the adult specimen as most commonly seen: 



Total Length 3 feet, 6 inches. 



Length of Tail 8 



Diameter of Body if " 



Width of Head i 



Length of Head if 



Distribution. From Maine and southern Canada to North 

 Carolina (inclusive), and westward to Kansas and Wisconsin. 

 South of North Carolina its place is taken by the typical form 

 and the Red-bellied Water Snake, already described. 



Habits. Owing to its wide distribution in the North, this 

 reptile has been more generally observed than the parent form 

 which, for a great part of its habitat, frequents the practically 

 inaccessible swamps of the Southern States. The habits of the 

 Northern form are, however, very similar to those of its Southern 

 relative. Throughout the New England and the Middle States 

 it is an abundant and well-known reptile, frequenting the borders 

 of ponds and streams and making for the water upon the slight- 

 est alarm. It is often called "water moccasin" and thought to 

 be very poisonous. In fact its sinister aspect when cornered is 

 anything but reassuring, for it will flatten the head and body to 

 a remarkable degree, when it strikes viciously at every moving 

 object within reach. The heavy body and sombre colour of 

 the upper surface inspire the uninitiated with fear and hatred 

 for this perfectly harmless snake. 



When provided with an avenue of escape at the approach 

 of man, the water snake is of lightning speed in taking advantage 



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