The Striped Snakes Garter Snakes 



refuge beneath aquatic plants, remaining under the surface for 

 some minutes. 



On several occasions the writer has observed these snakes 

 feeding while in a wild state. In one instance he was resting 

 while crossing a belt of heavy timber, in New Jersey. The high, 

 rasping croak of a wood frog denoted something to be the matter. 

 Peering through the undergrowth a wood frog was seen struggling 

 in the jaws of a Ribbon Snake. So vigorous was the batrachian 

 that it tore itself from the reptile's grasp and started away .in a 

 series of frantic hops, with the snake in pursuit. So lightning- 

 like were the undulations and progress of the pursuer that it 

 readily kept up with the frog, although the former had a start 

 of several feet gained immediately after its escape from the 

 snake's jaws. After a dozen frenzied leaps, the frog paused to 

 recover breath, and the snake, momentarily losing sight of it, 

 stopped as well, but was all attention with head and neck up- 

 raised, eyes staring in the direction of the prey, and flashing tongue. 

 Imagining the danger past the frog settled down to rest. But 

 woe to the unfortunate creature, a single move brought instan- 

 taneous fate. With the characteristic movement of frogs and 

 toads it folded its limbs tighter to its body and flattened to the 

 damp ground but that slight movement betrayed its presence 

 to the snake, which responded with a dash so quick and unerring 

 that before the frog could make a jump it was in the reptile's 

 jaws. The observer remained quiet until the frog was swallowed 

 and the snake, with the outline of the meal clearly defined, glided 

 away among the bushes. 



Although snakes seem to be provided with sharp sight for 

 small moving objects within a reasonable distance, that is, within 

 four or five times of their own length, they appear to be unable 

 to detect their prey if it remains motionless unless they cross a 

 fresh trail and follow the scent. This interest in moving objects 

 seemingly prompts captive Ribbon Snakes and other frog-eating 

 species to display what may appear to be remarkable intelligence 

 for a serpent. When many of these reptiles are kept in the same 

 case and food is introduced, the snakes first seizing the small 

 frogs or fishes as the case may be, at once begin to thrash their 

 tails in a most vigorous fashion, seemingly to attract the atten- 

 tion of their associates that are voraciously searching for the food, 

 having scented the same, to the commotion of the caudal appen- 



