WATER SNAKES 



91 



twenty-four species have been described, covering the whole 

 of the United States, and much contiguous territory. From 

 the species named above, twelve tiresome subspecies have 

 been evolved, which are of no interest whatever to the gen- 

 eral' student. 



The Red-Bellied Water Snake^ is a highly colored va- 

 riety of the common Water Snake that merits special atten- 

 tion. It is the most 

 showy and handsome 

 representative of an 

 interesting group of 

 water snakes, compris- 

 ing about ten species, 

 all of which are harm- 

 less, but very much in 

 evidence in small 

 streams and other 

 bodies of water. They 

 bring forth their young alive. They love to lie upon low 

 bushes that overhang water, and bask in the sun. They 

 are very suspicious, however, and when disturbed drop head 

 first into the water, like a stream of oil running down. The 

 way to catch them is with a wire noose on the end of a 

 light pole about ten feet long. 



The species named above is widely known amongst the 

 negroes of the Carolinas and other portions of the South as 

 the Copper-Bellied "Moccasin," and it is feared accord- 

 ingly. To the negroes of South Carolina, all water snakes 



' Na'trix fas-ci-a'ta er-yth'ro-gas-ter. 



COMMON GARTER SNAKE. 



