268 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



latter. This interesting group contains several genera 

 ■ — native of the New and the Old World. In the United 

 States the sj)ecies are called King Snakes; they repre- 

 sent the genus Ophiboliis. Five members of this genus 

 are found in the United States, of which the best known 

 is the Common King Snake or Chain Snake, O. getu- 

 lus. The tj^pical form occurs from southern New Jer- 

 sey to Florida and westward to the IMississippi ; varieties 

 extend westward to the Pacific Coast. 



The Chain Snake is a lustrous pitch black with nar- 

 row white or yellow lines crossing the back and forking 

 on the sides, where they unite to form a chain-like pat- 

 tern. 



King Snakes are surprisingly gentle in their attitude 

 toward man, making beautiful and interesting pets. 

 They are hardy, not at all particular as to the character 

 of their food — eating dead animals or strips of raw beef 

 ■ — and live for years in confinement. As long as snakes 

 of the same species are kept in the cage together, all 

 goes well; immediate trouble begins when reptiles of 

 other kinds are introduced. The docile attitude of the 

 King Snake vanishes as if by magic. Several individ- 

 uals invariably grasp the newcomer, winding coil after 

 coil of their bodies about it. There is soon a tight ball 

 of squeezing, viciously-chewing reptiles, all fighting to 

 swallow the now lifeless victim. The climax may com- 

 bine comedy and tragedy. One of the smaller — and 

 livelier — snakes j)ossibly manages to seize the victim's 

 head, when a swallowing feat commences ; a larger snake 

 soon begins at the tail, engulfing the victim and working 

 up toward its smaller cage mate; here it arrives, snout 

 to snout, pauses but an instant, then swallows the now 

 writhing victim of its kind. Unless prompted by such 

 disputes, King Snakes will live together for years. It 



