AMPHIBIA AND REPTILIA OF COLORADO 97 



To this genus belong the Water Snakes. They are found in all 

 parts of the world along streams and in swamps. They lead a semi- 

 aquatic life, feeding upon fish, tadpoles, frogs and other aquatic 

 animals. The many species of this genus are viviparous, producing 

 many young. 



Tropidonotus sipedon (Linnaeus) 



Water Snake (Figure 27) 

 Coluber sipedon Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, p. 219, 1758. 

 Tropidonotus sipedon — Cockerell, Univ. Colo. Studies, Vol. VII, p. 131, 1910 

 (Boulder, Colo.). 



Dorsal scales keeled, dull and lusterless, in 23 or 25 rows; superior 

 labials, 8 (rarely 9); inferior labials, 9; ventrals, 125 to 150; tail one- 

 fourth or less of the total length. 



General color yellowish brown or red brown. Body crossed by 

 fifty or more dark brown or almost black irregular bands, which reach 

 to the ventrals on each side. These bands are most distinct on the 

 sides of the body, dorsally they may be more or less completely broken 

 up into large spots; between these bands or spots are irregular, some- 

 what triangular patches of the lighter yellowish or reddish ground 

 color, on the sides of the body the ground color often bright red. 

 These markings are usually much obscured in large or old specimens. 

 Ventral parts yellowish or brownish, rather heavily and irregularly 

 blotched, especially back of the anal, with black, gray, brown and red. 

 In the variety transversus the ventrals are without markings. Labials 

 pale yellow, their junctions with each other marked with black. 

 Color pattern rather variable, even a green form of this species being 

 known from Florida. 



As its name implies, this snake spends the greater part of its life 

 either in the water or very near it. It is often found coiled under 

 loose wet stones on the stream bank. It is quite active and delights 

 to climb into the branches of bushes overhanging the water. The 

 belief is current in many parts of the country that this snake is the 

 dangerous "Water Moccasin." Although sometimes incorrectly 

 called the Moccasin, this snake is one of the harmless species. When 

 given a chance it retires at once if disturbed, but when escape is 



