MOLE SNAKES. 



Fig. 44. — The Mole Snake (Pscudaspis cana), ako known as the Zwart Slang and Lui Slang. Average length 

 3 to 4 feet. Mole Snakes vary remarkablv in colouration. There are six pronounced varieties of 

 colouration which are as follows: i. Glossy black, shading into purple on the uuder-p.irts. No 

 trace of spots or markings. (Zwart Slang.) 2. Brown, covered with blackish, irregular, more or 

 less rounded markings. Under-parts yllowish. 3. Uniform dark brown. Lighter on the undor- 

 parts. No trace of markings. 4. Brick red in colour, covered with more or less rounded blackish 

 markings. Under-parts yellowish. 5. Half-grown young. Sometimes lik,? No. z and No. 3. I 

 have examined specimens from Eastern Province of Cape Colony, which are light brown, with a 

 succession of lateral markings from the tip of the tail to the head. These are niadeiup of alternate 

 black and white spots. The spots over the backbone are the largest, and form a continuous line of 

 black, running lengthwise. 6. Young, from birth to 3 months of age. Brown, with wavy cross- 

 markings of blackish. These markings are edged with white, and, the whole form four longitudinal 

 seiies. 



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