REPTILES 295 



Of our harmless native species, the Garter Snake 

 {Eutconia sirtalis) is the most abundant and familiar. It is 

 found everywhere in the East, and west of the Mississippi 

 is represented by several closely allied forms, which inhabit 

 country of widely varying character. This is a viviparous 

 species, its young being numerous and active. It is naturally 

 docile, and in captivity soon becomes very tame. Its food 

 should consist of small frogs and earthworms. 



The Water Snake (Tropidonatus fasciatus sipedon) is 

 abundant about ponds and streams, but is shy and difficult 

 to approach. In color it is brownish-black, varied in 

 younger specimens with patches of ruddy brown. Like the 

 Garter Snake, it is viviparous, the young appearing late in 

 summer. This snake is exceedingly bad-tempered, and 

 while it is very hardy in captivity, cannot be handled with 

 impunity. It should be provided with water for bathing, 

 and fed on minnows, frogs and tadpoles. 



The Black Snake (Zamenis constrictor) is very active 

 and swift-moving and, when cornered, a courageous and 

 formidable fighter. Because of this fact, and its size, it is 

 much persecuted in country districts, although as a de- 

 stroyer of rodents it is of the greatest value to the farmer. 

 In captivity it will eat almost anything alive — frogs, small 

 birds, rats, mice, and even smaller harmless snakes. 



The Mountain or Pilot Blacksnake {Coluber obso- 

 letus) is found throughout the eastern states, from Maine 

 southward. It resembles the common Black Snake, but is 

 readily distinguished by the greater brilliance of its color and 

 the white edges of the scales. It reaches a length greater 

 than that of the average Black Snake, large specimens some- 

 times reaching eight feet. In captivity it will take rats, mice, 

 guinea-pigs and sparrows. 



The Gopher or Indigo Snake (Spilotes corais couperi), 

 of the southeastern states, is iridescent bluish-black in color, 



