296 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



and reaches a length of eight or nine feet. Both this and the 

 preceding species reproduce by means of eggs. It is espe- 

 cially desirable as a pet, becoming very tame. Its food is 

 that of the Black Snake. 



A curious little creature is the Hog-nosed Snake 

 (Heterodon platyrhinus) , occasioning much alarm among 

 the uninitiated by the upturned snout, which gives it a pecul- 

 iarly villainous expression. It also exhibits signs of ag- 

 gression when disturbed, even going so far as to vibrate the 

 end of the tail after the fashion of the Rattlesnake, although 

 it is, of course, perfectly innocuous. It is a satisfactory 

 species in captivity, feeding on small frogs and toads. 



The Green Snake (Liopeltes vernalis) is widely dis- 

 tributed in North America. It is entirely leaf -green in 

 color, and because of this protective character is not easily 

 detected. It is insectivorous in habit, searching among the 

 branches of low bushes for the insects which form its food. 

 It is an exceedingly docile species, and in captivity thrives 

 on a diet of insects. 



Of native species suitable for pets, the King Snake 

 (Ophibolus getulus) is one of the very best. It is a hand- 

 some creature, shining black, variegated with narrow, whit- 

 ish bands, found in the eastern states, from New Jersey 

 southward, and reaches a length of six feet. It feeds on 

 rodents and snakes, successfully attacking poisonous species, 

 to the venom of which it is immune. In captivity it soon 

 becomes very docile, and has the additional advantage of 

 willingness to partake of dead food. 



One of the handsomest reptiles of eastern North America 

 is the Milk Snake (Ophibolus doliatus trianguhis), a 

 small cousin of the foregoing. It reaches an extreme length 

 of about six feet, and is prettily marked with chestnut 

 patches on a grayish ground. The curious belief that it 

 draws the milk from the udders of cows has brought it into 



