86 



HERPETOLOGY OF MICHIGAN. 



Habits and Habitat: The little red-bellied snake is mostly con- 

 fined to woodland areas, and is very secretive, generally being found 

 under loose stones, logs, etc. It is a very amiable little snake, and 

 in captivity soon learns to take food from the fingers. Its food is 



^^^^^^^^ LAKE SUPERl 

 "" ^ \ -V-/-( If 



R 



DOMI^JION OF CANADA 



ILLINOIS 



c M ■ c A c e 



EPit 



Fig. 30. Distribution of Storeria occipitomaciilata. 

 Horizontal ruling, specimens examined; vertical ruling, reports only. 



said to consist of earthworms (Ditmars, 1907. 270), slugs (Ditmars, 

 1907, 270, Hay, 1892a, 498, Surface, 190G, 137-138), beetle larvae 

 (Ditmars, 1907, 270), insects (Morse,' 1904, 133). 



The young are born alive and appear in small broods of from five 

 to tliirteen, the earliest date recorded being August 18 (Ditmars, 

 1907, 270) for a New York specimen, and the latest date September 



