The King Snakes 



however, have green or yellow centres. Such specimens have 

 been designated as the variety splendidus by Baird and Girard, 

 but the variation is too superficial to be considered under a distinct 

 head when compared with the many intermediate or connecting 

 forms. 



Dimensions. Like the typical form* in proportions, though 

 it does attain so great a length. About 3} feet when adult. 



Distribution. This variety takes the place of the typical 

 form in the central portion of the United States. The range is 

 from southern Illinois to Louisiana; westward in the North, 

 through the southern portion of the plains, and in the South to 

 western Texas. 



THE COMMON KING SNAKE; CHAIN SNAKE; THUN- 

 DER SNAKE 

 Opbibolus getulus, (Linn.) 



The typical form of this species is the largest of the King 

 Snakes. It attains a length of six feet. The body is stout and 

 cylindrical and the head small but slightly distinct from the 

 neck. 



Colouration. The greater number of specimens are black, 

 with narrow yellow or white cross-bands, which fork on the sides 

 and connect with one another in chain-like fashion. These 

 bands are one and a half to two scales wide and separated by 

 intervals of from five to ten scales. The abdomen is black, with, 

 large blotches of white or yellow. 



Variations. Specimens occurring from southern New Jersey 

 to South Carolina are usually jet-black, with white, chain-like 

 markings. Those found in Georgia, Alabama and northern 

 Florida have yellow markings on a black or deep brown ground. 

 In central and southern Florida a large number of specimens 

 are brown, olive or green, with indistinct bands. Close exami- 

 nation of such specimens will reveal each scale to contain a pale 

 centre. The light blotches on the abdomen generallly match 

 the hue of the bands on the back. 



The jet-black specimens from the northern portion of the 

 range, with their vivid white markings, are in strange contrast 

 with pale, greenish specimens without bands, from Florida, 



* See the measurements given under the head of the typical form. 



359 



