SNAKES. 61 



The fox snake, Coluber vulpinus (B. & G.), is a third 

 distinctly spotted snake which is found occasionally 

 in Indiana. The ground color is light brown or 

 grayish-yellow', and there are about 60 chocolate- 

 colored spots across the back, which 

 s e . alternate with smaller ones on each 

 side. It may be known from the chain 

 snake by its having nine or more of the 25 rows of 

 scales keeled. The under surface is yellowish, with 

 large squarish blotches of black. 



The fox snake feeds upon the smaller mammals, as 

 half-groAvn rabbits, mice and ground squirrels. Like 

 most snakes it is irritable and vicious when surprised 

 immediately after swallowing its prey, evidently fear- 

 ing that the intruder will cause it to disgorge the 

 latter and so deprive it of its dinner. 



The fourth species of spotted snakes occurring in 

 the State is the corn snake, Coluber guttatus L., a rep- 

 tile of southern range, which has been taken at a few 

 localities in southern Indiana. It is thought by some 

 to be only a variety of the fox snake, 



Snake ^ u ^ ^ ie sca ^ es are * n ^7 rows and the 

 ground "color is brick-red instead of 

 gray. The dark blotches are also fewer, being seldom 

 more than 45. 



Not having seen the corn snake alive I can say 

 nothing of its habits. Holbrook says that in North 

 Carolina "it is found about the roadsides early in the 

 morning or at the dusk of evening, unlike most snakes 

 concealing itself during the day. It is very gentle and 

 familiar . . . at times entering houses, and is, accord- 

 ing to Catesby, a great robber of hen-roosts/' 



