Virginia Herpetological Society Bulletin Number 37

VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN NUMBER 37

AN AID TO IDENTIFICATION OF THE SNAKES OF VIRGINIA by

Franklin J. Tobey, Jr. Secretary, Editor, VHS

The varieties of Virginian This aid in naming the Virginian snakes are arranged according to snakes assumes that sight at fair­ the most noticeable pattern, its ly close range is sufficient. Such' absence, or other outstanding mark­ observation improves with practice. ings. The basic pattern groups It helps to have native aptitudes are as follows: for (1) distinguishing colors, and (2) memory for design. A freshly- UNIFORM (no pattern) washed specimen is, of course,more easily identified. BANDED ( or ringed) For best results, the snake should SADDLED ( blotched ) be relatively quiet and the person doing the observing must be at ease. CHECKERED (spotted) There is nothing to gain from be­ and, LINED (striped) ing emotional. There is danger. Color is covered within each Unless relaxed a person is likely of these categories from darker to to provide an exaggerated descrip­ lighter shades. First attention tion of color as well as behavior is given to the dark markings. The and size. Yet, how does one con­ lighter colors, except for stripes vince the public that there is a or lines, are considered as back­ greater potential hazard in panic ground to the stronger pattern. . than presented by the snake ?

Be careful not to handle any Snakebite can be avoided by using venomous snake. Study them first! common sense. Remain cool; do not Note their appearance in museum or get excited. Take all precautions zoo collections and in illustrated necessary to assure that you are in books or pamphlets on reptiles. the most advantageous position.

( 1 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page two THE SNAKES OF VIRGINIA

1. BROWN WATER SNAKE Natrix taxispilota taxispilota 2. RED-BELLIED WATER SNAKE Natrix erythrogaster erythrogaster 3. NORTHERN WATER SNAKE Natrix sipedon sipedon 4. QUEEN SNAKE Natrix septemvittata septemvittata 5. GLOSSY WATER SNAKE Natrix rigida rigida 6. NORTHERN BROWN SNAKE Storeria dekayi dekayi 7. NORTHERN RED-BELLIED SNAKE Storeria o . occipitomaculata 8. EASTERN GARTER SNAKE Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis 9. EASTERN RIBBON SNAKE Thamnophis sauritus sauritus 10. ROUGH EARTH SNAKE HaIdea striatula 11. EASTERN SMOOTH EARTH SNAKE HaIdea valeriae valeriae 12. MOUNTAIN EARTH SNAKE (Va.?) Haldea valeriae pulchra 13. EASTERN HOGNOSE SNAKE Heterodon pjLatyrhinos platyrhinos 14. SOUTHERN ‘RENGNECK SNAKE Diadophis punctatus punctatus 15. NORTHERN RINGNECK SNAKE Diadophis punctatus edwardsi 16-. EASTERN WORM SNAKE Carphophis amoenus amoenus 17. RAINBOW SNAKE Abastor erythrogrammus 18. EASTERN MUD SNAKE Farancia aEacura abacura 19. NORTHERN BLACK RACER Coluber constrictor constrictor 20. EASTERN COACHWHIP ' (Va.?) Masticophis flagellum flagellum 21. ROUGH GREEN SNAKE Opheodrys aestivus 22. EASTERN SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE Opheodrys vernalis vernalis 23. CORN SNAKE Elaphe guttata guttata 24. BLACK RAT SNAKE Elaphe obsoleta pbsoleta 25. NORTHERN PINE SNAKE Pituophis melanoleucas melanoleucas 26. EASTERN KING SNAKE Lampropeltis getulus getulus 27. BLACK KING SNAKE Lampropeltis getulus niger 28. EASTERN MILK SNAKE Lampropeltis*doliata triangulum 29. COASTAL PLAIN MILK SNAKE Lampropeltis doliata temporalis 30. SCARLET KING SNAKE Lampropeltis doliata doliata 31. MOLE SNAKE Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata 32. SCARLET SNAKE Cemophora coccinea 33. SOUTHEASTERN CROWNED SNAKE Tantilla coronata coronata 34. NORTHERN COPPERHEAD Agkistrodon contortrix mokeson/ 35. EASTERN COTTONMOUTH Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus/ 36. CAROLINA PIGMY RATTLESNAKE Sistrurus miliarius miliarius/ 37. TIMBER RATTLESNAKE Crotalus horridus horridus 4 38. CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE Crotalus horridus atricaudatus 4

4 Deadly Poisonous species (See notes in VHS Bulletin No.38)

• - 2 VBS BULLETIN No. 37 - Page three SHAKES OF A UNIFORM COLOR: ( no pattern )

. . . * . ' f • . . •Color above: -- . Color beneath: .• . Proportions:

BLACK often with a - White, chin to mid- Moderately stout, brownish cast. belly; gray to tail. Not over 9 feet; Scales weakly keeled. '• not under 2 feet. Juvenile pattern may * - * Head distinct - show. Hatchlings (10 in.) see "Saddled"...... BLACK RAT SNAKE BLACK to dark gray White, chin and throat Slender. with a bluish cast. only,

( 3 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page four SNAKES OF A UNIFORM COLOR: ( no pattern ) Color above: . . Color beneath: Proportions: BROUN, dark to gray- Yellowish-white; may Often stout. brown. Scales rough. brown £e spott®d and black. r e d ' Not under OV?r V2 ffeet. A . Born alive (8 in.) see "Banded". Head distinct. ------NORTHERN HATER SHAKE BROWN, chocolate with Yellow to brown with Often heavy-bodied, traces of darker spots of daxk blown Not over 6 feet; squarish blotches or black, axianged not under 3 feet, on sides. or scattered randomly. Head very distinct; Scales keeled. Born alive (8 in.) see "Checkered". /triangular...... r- - BROWN WATER SNAKE BROWN, chocolate to Plain red, orange-red. Moderately stout. plain brown; sides Hot ov^r. grayish to greenish Born alive (8 in.) w° reet. brovm. Scales keeled. see "Saddled". Head distinct. ------RED-BELLIED WATER SHAKE BROWN, medium golden Yellowish-white Slender to stout, brown almost obscures sprinkled with gray Not over 4 feet; small saddles on back or black dots. not under 3 feet. Scales smooth. Hatchlings (8 in.) "Saddled". Head barely distinct...... - - MOLE SNAKE BROWN TO OLIVE, two Yellow, with two rows Moderate to stout, faint dark stripes on °1 Hark spots. Hot over 3 feet. back. Glossy despite Born alive (7 in.). Head very distinct, heavily keeled scales. ---- 1 - - ...... - ...... GLOSSY WATER SHAKE (rare) DARK BROWN TO BLACK Color underneath is Long, slender, forward- 1-irrhtor to- similar to color on Not over 8 feet; ward tail. ^Smooth back; li<3ilter toward Sve5a£e t fe®p. . . scales; arrangement tai1- Head barely distinct. suggests braided whip. Hatchlings (12 in.) see "Banded". -----...... EASTERN COACHWHIP (rare) GREEN, dull leaf green Yellow-green to Slender, long, thin. Scales weakly keeled. greenish-white. Not over Si feet; Head distinct, eyes Average 2 feet, larae. Hatchlings (7 in.) grayish-green. - ...... ROUGH GREEN SNAKE GREEN, bluish cast. Light green to green- Slender to moderate. Highly polished, ish-white. Rarely, Not over 2 feet; smooth scales. yellow-green. Average . . Hatchlings (5 in.) olive-gray. Head barely distinct. ------...... EASTERN SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE

L ( 4 ) VHS BULLETII! No. 37 pacre five SNAKES OF A UNIFORM COLOR: y ______(. no pattern ) __ Color above: u . Color beneath: . . . Proportions: GRAY-BLUE, dark gray Orange-yellow which. Slender to moderate, to slate-blue; more circles neck in a Not over 2 feet; ■ rarely dark brown. thin ring. Average 1 foot. Scales smooth. • Head, dark bro\m. Hatchlings (4 in.) darker than adult...... NORTHERN RINGMECK SNAKE BLUE-BLACK, to dark Orange-yellow which Slender to moderate, brown. makes an incomplete- Not over 2 feet; Scales smooth ring about neck. Row Average 1 foot. of black dots on belly. . Head dark brown. Hatchlings (4 in.) darker than adult. - ...... * ’ • SOUTHERN • RINGNECK SNAKE ; • ;•j BROUN-TAN, plain to White to tan with a Slender, reddish-brown. pinkish tinge. No Not over li feet; Scales smooth. Dark - dots or dark markings. Average 8 inches, head; white or ivory Head barely distinct collar followed by a Hatchlings (4 in.) same as adult, black band on neck...... SOUTHEASTERN CROWNED SNAKE

BROUN 10 Ia N White to pinkish-white blender. Not over Scales keeled. beneath. 1 foot; Ave. 10-in. May have light band Born alive (4 in.) may have light band on head. across head. - '...... ROUGH EARTH SNAKE ; GRAY TO TAN with Yellowish-white Moderately stout. . scattered black dots. Not over 1 foot; Scales smooth to average 8 inches, faintly keeled near Hatchlings (3 in.) Head distinct, tail. 15 scale rows. no markings on body...... EASTERN SMOOTH EARTH SNAKE GRAY TO REDDISH BROUN yellowish-white (Same as above.) Scales weakly keeled. , * 17 rows of scales. (W.Va. & Md.) ...... - ...... MOUNTAIN EARTH SNAKE BROWN TO PURPLISH- • Pink, up to 2d row of Moderate to stout. BLACK! Scales smooth. scales on sides. Not over 1 foot; glossy. Average 8 inches. Hatchlings (3 in.) darker than adult. Head small,indistinct (Skin gray over back just before shedding, pink beneath.) ...... EASTERN WORM SNAKE

( 5 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page six SNAKES OF A UNIFORM COLOR: _____ ( no pattern )______

Color above: . Color beneath: . , Proportions:

BROWN with three dark Yellowish to buff with Slender to moderate, stripes on back. four dark brown stripes. Not over 3 feet; Scales keeled. Stripes merge toward Not under 14- feet. Born alive, see "Lined", tail in older specimens. Head small, darker. ------QUEEN SNAKE GRAY-BROWN TO TAN, Pinkish-white to pink- Moderately stout. or chestnut brown. gray. No markings. Not over H feet; Two parallel rows of Born alive (4 in.) Head distinct; dark dots down center of darker than adult; streak runs top to back. Scales keeled. light ring at neck. bottom behind eye. BROWN SNAKE BROWN, chestnut to . Brilliant red edged with Moderately stout, tan. Scales keeled. gray scales along sides. Not over 1 foot. Head distinct, light Born alive (3 in.) darker than adult; neck ring, spots just behind it...... - NORTHERN RED-BELLIED SNAKE

WHITE TO LIGHT TAN Pink, whitish. White to pinkish rust to tan markings (Complete or near-com- head, pink eyes, may be discernible. plete absence of pigment. Any size. ______Albino specimen (species ?) BLACK to dull dark Black or dark gray. Any size, or shape gray. Does not have -- slender to stout. characteristics of (Totally pigmented, no Head and eyes dark, known blacksnakes. light markings. ------Melanistic specimen (species?)

Note: Completely unpigmented or totally-pigmented snakes should be kept alive, or preserved if dead, and presented to the local museum, zoo, college or high school biology department. VHS would appreciate having a copy of the collection data sheet and note on the place where the collector deposited the specimen. See "notes" in VHS Bulletin No. 38.

( 6 ) VHS BtJLLETIN No. 37 Page seven SNAKES WITH A BANDED PATTERN: ____ (may appear ringed)______Bands : ; - . Background and underneath: Proportions: BLACK-BROW# wavy, in Gray-brown to buff with a Very heavy-bodied. three sections in pink cast. Rusty stripe Not over 6 feet; neck area; bands are at center of back divides Head very distinct; complete mid-body to bands. broad dark cheek tail. Scales heavily Underneath: grayish-yellow patch runs back keeled. Black tail with dark blotches. from eye. ends in a rattle or blunt button. Born alive (12 in.) paler. ------CANEBEAKE RATTLESNAKE . u. • x • BLACK-BROWN, wavy, Sulfur-yellow, tan, dark Stout to heavy. brown to black. Not over 5-g- feet; * margined in lighter color. Three parts Head very distinct, Underneath: Yellowish- no cheek patch. ;.on neck; complete on tan speckled with gray. ?body. Scales heavily Dark spots at regular in­ keeled..Black tail tervals along sides...... " .ends in’rattle or H ' * , blunt button. Born alive (12 in.) subdued color. ■ ...... TIMBER RATTLESNAKE BLACK-BROWN narrow Dull olive-brown, pales to Very heavy, stout. on center back, on. tan on sides. Round dark Not over 6 feet. sides broadens en­ spots spaced alternately. Head very distinct ; closing some tan or Underneath: Yellowish, broad' dark cheek olive background. blotched with brown; dark , patch, lips white Scales weakly keeled. under tail. No red marks. to’ yellow. Light'line from eyes to neck. • 1 Born alive (10 in.) dark to reddish-brown bands broad dark streak on cheek. Tip of tail yellow. ------EASTERN COTTONMOUTH - DARK- BROWN to rich Tan or light gray-brown; Moderately heavy, chestnut brown bands dark round spots at sides. Not over 4 feet. hourglass shape when Head very distinct; viewed from above; Underneath: Tan to buff, coppery cast on top narrow on ridge of dark spots edge abdomen. no cheek patches. back, wider at sides, Born alive (8 in.) narrow dark line through eye dark margins. tip of tail sulfur yellow up to 2 years. Scales weakly keeled...... NORTHERN COPPERHEAD ' W • :r -• ■ • - W . ■. ■' : • ’ ■DARK ■ ■ ■ ■ " ■■BROWN - 1 ■ — to reddish Tan or gray between dark Moderate to stout. brown with darker mar­ bands. * .... Not over 3 feet; gin; wider over center Underneath: Yellowish-white older specimens - of back; narrower on spotted with red, brown 3 to 5 ft. under sides. Scales keeled. and black markings, or "Uniform*'. Head Mid-body to tail is plain. distinct. checkered. Born alive (8 in.) black bands on gray or tan. ------NORTHERN WATER SNAKE

( 7 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 SNAKES WITH A BANDED PATTERN: (may appear ringed) Bands: Background and underneath: Proportions: BROWN, dark to rich Pale gray to bluish-gray; Slender. red-brown, wide oval- small dark spots on sides. Not over lift. shaped bands. Saddle- Head large, eyes Underneath: gray-white with big (juvenile). like when seen from brown or black dots. the side. Dark spots. Scales smooth Hatchlings (10 in.) as described here. Adult specimens described under "Uniform". • ...... - - - NORTHERN BLACK RACER DARK BROWN forward, Dark head; brown forward, Slender; long tail lighter toward tail. lighter toward tail. Head distinct; Narrow bands, close eyes large. Not together. Resembles Underneath: similar to the over 1^- feet. juvenile Black Racer. color above, (juvenile) Adult loses bands Scales smooth. see "Uniform". EASTERN COACHWHIP RED, wide, edged in White, tan or yellow. Cylindrical .* ISTack. Top of'head Small black markings at Not over 3 feet; red; black bar across sides near belly, average H feet. eyes. Scales smooth. Beneath: White or yellow. Head indistinct. Hatchlings (5 in.) same as adult. - - - - ...... - ...... SCARLET SNAKE (Cemophora) SCARLET TO RED-BROWN, White or yellowish between Moderate to stout narrow black margin. black-margined red bands. Not over 3 feet; Bands extend to belly. Beneath: white or yellow , Average li feet. Smaller brown marks with black squares, Head barely dis­ on side. Smooth scales. Hatchlings (6 in.) tinct . ______.----- COASTAL PLAIN MILK SNAKE SCARLET, wide bands Yellow or white. / Cylindrical, separated from back- Not over 2i feet; ground by narrower Underneath: All rings -- Average 1 foot, black bands or rings red, black, yellow(white) Head indistinct, which meet on belly. should encircle body. Scales smooth. Snout (See "notes" VI1S-B No.38). red, black cap. Hatchlings (5 in.) same. ------SCARLET KING SNAKE YELLOW TO ORANGE ring around neck is only marking. See "Uniform" - ...... RINGNECK SNAKE (top,page 5)

( 8 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page nine SNAKES WITH A SADDLED PATTERN: (blotches along ridge of back) Saddles: , Background and beneath: , Proportions: BLACK, so large as to White or greenish-yellow Slender to reduce the background lines hemmed in by black cylindrical, taper- color to narrow mar­ -- creates tire chain ef- ing slowly to tail, gins between saddles feet. 'Not over 8 feet; and series of black Underneath: white or yel- Average 4 feet, blotches on sides. low with black squares. Head not distinct. Scales smooth, glossy. Hatchlings (7 in.) same. ------EASTERN KINGSMAKE BLACK on forward half White to tan, whiter on Moderately stout, of body; brown-black sides. Not over 7i feet; on latter half. Underneath: White, spot- average 4 feet, Smaller blotches on less except for row of Head small, sides. Scales strong­ black spots near sides. ly keeled. Hatchlings (15 in.) same as adult. ■ ...... NORTHERN PINE SNAKE BLACK TO DARK BROWN Olive-brown or dark gray Stout to heavy-, diamond-shaped sad­ Some background color is bodied. Head is dles on center of included within diamonds very distinct. .. Only rattler with back, each outlined Underneath: Dull yellow. with cream or yellow­ two light stripes Tail ends in rattle or on face. ish scales. Olive- blunt button. brown tail ringed (See "notes") with black bands. Born alive (12 in.) same as adult. Scales strongly keeled NOT NATIVE TO VIRGINIA ...... - - - - EASTERN DlAMONDBACK RATTLER , : ' , , . * r. ~ X 1 { . .*• f v OLIVE-BROWN TO RED- Gray to tan or white. ■ Slender to BROWlf bordered with cylindrical. Not black., One or two Underneath: white with over 3 feet; rows of smaller black squarish blotches average 2 feet, blotches alternating arranged; checkerboard. Head barely dis­ on each side. tinct .from body. Scales smooth. Hatchlings (6 in.) redder than adult...... EASTERN MILK SNAKE BROWN, small, dark Light brown becoming tan Slender to stout. reddish blotches; on sides. Waffle brown Not over 4 feet; wavy outline with almost obscuring dark red Average 2 feet. narrow black mar­ saddles on center of back, Head barely dis­ gin. A series of in older adult specimens. tinct from body. smaller markings Underneath: White to yel­ Hatchlings (7 in.) on sides;- spaced. low, marbled with brown same as adult; a Scales smooth. or speckled with gray. gold-yellow cast...... MOLE SNAKE

( 9 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page ten SNAKES WITH A SADDLED PATTERN: (blotches along ridge of back) Saddles: • . Background and beneath: Proportions: DARK RED OR ORANGE Brown, pale yellow, gray, Slender to stout. with strong black red or orange. Not over 6 feet; border or margin. No Underneath: White with Average 3 feet. ringed effect. large squares of black Small head. Spearhead marking on turning to stripes under top of head and neck. tail. Scales weakly keeled. Hatchlings (10 in.) dark Smaller blotches on red-brown saddles. sides alternate with those on center back. CORN SNAKE BROWN TO GRAY-BLACK Gray-white to tan; darker Slender. Saddles squarish. as snake grows older. Not over 2 feet;* Scales weakly keeled. Underneath: xdiite with Hatchlings 10 in. ^Pattern sometimes gray or black blotches. Head distinct, (rare) carried through­ eyes large. Adult specimen described (Immature) out life. under "Uniform". ------BLACK RAT SNAKE (juvenile) BROWN TO GRAY-BLACK Pale gray to white on Slender. Saddles oval. sides, bluish cast. Small Not over 2 feet; Scales smooth. brown spots. Hatchlings 10 in.

Underneath, pale gray. Head and eyes Adult specimen-- large. (Immature) see "Uniform". (juvenile) NORTHERN BLACK RACER DARK BROUN saddles Tan or pinkish-brown. Slender. alternating with small Not over 2 feet; dark markings on sides. Underneath: Plain red to Born alive (8 in.) Scales keeled. brick red; no markings. Head distinct. Adult: (see"Uniform".) , . . n x (Immature) (juvenile;_ _ _ RED_BELLIED WATER SNAKE

(■ io ) /N VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page eleven SNAKES WITH A CHECKERED PATTERN: ( spotted, alternate rows ) Spots: Background and Beneath: / Proportions: BLACK TO CHOCOLATE Plain brown or dark tan. Stout to heavy. brown squares, one (Old adult -- see"Uniform".) Not over 5 feet; row centered, an Underneath: Yellow with average 3 feet alternate* row on brown or black markings. Head very large, each side, spaced. Born alive (8 in.) same triangular. Scales keeled. pattern as adult. (Not poisonous.) BROWN WATER SNAKE DARK BROWN TO BLACK Tan or gray. . Moderately stout to checkered pattern on Underneath: Yellow-white heavy-bodied, latter half of body; spotted with red, brown and Not over 5 feet; banded on forward black markings; or plain. older specimens half (see "Banded"). Born alive (8 in.) black ' see Scales keeled. bands on gray or tan. , Uniform • ------NORTHERN WATER SNAKE . • BLACK irregular but White, yellow, or tan to Slender, cylindrical. scruarish blotches yellow-green in tire-chain Not over 7 feet; obscure most of back­ pattern. average 3 feet. ground. Smaller row Underneath: same as on top. Head indistinct. . of black blotches on sides. Scales, smooth. Hatchlings (7in.) same as adult. • ...... EASTERN KING SNAKE Same as above, Hatchlings 7 in. and young snakes to li or 2ft. (southwestern Va.) may be young of ■ ...... BLACK KING SNAKE (see"Uniform" ). BLACK squares, some­ Yellow, tan, brown, to red- Stout. times irregular in dish or gray. Varied. Not over 4 feet; outline; smaller Underneath: yellowish to •, rounder series on yellow-green or gray. Head with upturned sides. Scales are Sometimes pink. snout- keeled. Hatchlings (6 in.) same as adult. ------EASTERN HGGNQSE SNAKE BLACK TO OLIVE BROWN Dark green to olive brown. Slender to roundish squares on moderate. Not Underneath: Dull yellow to over 4 feet; each side of central greenish-yellow. stripe. (See "Lined"). average 2 ft. Head distinct. Scales keeled. Born alive (7 in.) same pattern as adult. EASTERN GARTER SNAKE VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page twelve SNAKES WITH A CHECKERED PATTERN: ( spotted, alternate rows )

Spots: . Background and Beneath: . Proportions:

BLACK TO DARK GRAY Gray to pinkish gray. Red Stout. rounded spots, well- stripe from behind head on Not more than 2 ft. spaced, five rows; center of back. Tail slender, ends large series center in rattle or blunt of back, two rows of Underneath: White, marbled button. 9 large smaller spots along with gray spots or blotches scale plates for- sides. Scales keeled. Born alive (6 in.) same. ward on top of head. ------CAROLINA PIGMY RATTLESNAKE • i} * f „ .« t • RED-BROWN TO OLIVE White, gray, or tan on top. Slender to moderate. squarish blotches on Underneath: checkered with pver 4 feet; center of back, two white and black; no stripes ^ve^a?e i:eei;",. rows of smaller spots underneath tail. • Hea?* barely distinct. on sides. Hatchlings (7 in.) brighter red, same pattern. i Scales . r - - '•* i smooth. ------NORTHERN MILK SNAKE BROWN chestnut to Light tan to gray-tan. Slender to medium brown or tan moderately stout. on each side of tan Underneath: Pink to tan; Not over 2 feet, central stripe. no markings. Head distinct>dark. Scales keeled. Born alive (3 in.) gray-black, light neck ring.. - ...... NORTHERN BROWN SNAKE

( The VHS BULLETIN is mimeographed by trainees at the George Mason Oc­ cupational Training-Center in the County of Arlington, Virginia.. )

( 12 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page thirteen SNAKES WITH A LINED PATTERN: ( striped, lengthwise ) Lines or stripes: , Background and Beneath: , Proportions: Yellow or green- Olive-brown, dark green to Slender. yelloxv stripes (3) black. Varied. • Not over 4 feet; average 2 feet. one on center back Underneath: yellow-green. one on each side. Head distinct. Scales keeled. Born alive (6 in.) same. ------EASTERN GARTER SNAKE Tan, ivory or yellox* Green-brown to velvet Very slender. stripes (3) center black between stripes; Not over 3 feet; stripe may have a green, tan or chestnut- Average 1 foot. greenish or orange brown below side stripes. Tail long. tinge. Underneath: Clean yellow Head distinct. Born alive (7 in.) to greenish-white. EASTERN RIBBON SNAKE Yellow to ivory (two) Dark brown to olive brown. Slender to stripes; one on each moderately stout. side; narrow black Underneath: Yellow with 4 Not over 3 feet; stripes (three) on olive-brown stripes, dis­ Average H feet. back obscured by tinct on forward half, to­ Head distinct. dark background in ward tail merge in adults. (See "Uniform'7)too.) most specimens. Born alive (7 in.) same as adult. Scales keeled. QUEEN SNAKE Dark red stripes Blue-black to bluish in Slender to stout, (three) . between red stripes. Not over 5 feet; Scales smooth,glossy. Underneath: Yellow and red 5VSja?G Blue before shedding. with two rows of dark spots Head barely dis- Hatchlings (7in.). running lengthwise. tinct; tongue s1113! ------RAINBOW SNAKE Tan to gray-white (1) Darker brown to chestnut- Slender to on center of back. brown, or gray. moderately stout. Stripe bordered by a Underneath: Pale tan to Hot over 14 feet; row of black dots pinkish; unmarked. Average 10 inches. Scales keeled. Born alive (4 in.) gray-black; light neck ring. ------NORTHERN BROWN SNAKE Tan stripe (1) as in Brown above; plain red on Slender to just above: the underside. moderately stout. OR Not over H feet; Narrow dark stripes Bluish-gray above; plain average 1 foot. (four). red underneath. Head distinct; Scales keeled. Born alive (3in.) darker. light spots at neck. NORTHERN RED-BELLIED SNAKE

( 13 ) VHS BULLETIN No. 37 Page fourteen SNAKES WITH-A LINED PATTERN: ( striped, lengthwise ) Lines or stripes: . Background and Beneath: . Proportions: Red to rusty-brown Black saddle spots with an Slender. lone] down ridge of alternate roitf of dark gray- Head distinct. back. No other lines. spots on each side; see Tail ends in Other patterns are "Checkered". Born alive. rattle or blunt stronger; checkered. May have pinkish cast. button. ------CAROLINA PIGMY RATTLESNAKE Same as above except Dark brown or black bands. Stout to very Banded pattern is See "Banded". heavy-bodied. stronger; grayish cast Born alive (12 in.). Tail ends in rattle Large cheek patches. or blunt button. CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE

If you see an unusual reptile or amphibian alive, save it*. - Let VHS, or the nearest zoo, museum, university or college zoology department know about it as soon as possible.

If the unusual specimen is dead, and not too badly dam­ aged or decayed, preserve it in a 40 percent solution of formalin -- available at your drug- store without prescription. Let VHS know about it.

Communications may be sent to the Secretary, or to the VHS officers.

( 14) WILLIAM L. WITT

Bill Witt first visited the US Reptiles and Amphibians, National National Museum at age 12. While Museum, under the guidance of Dr. still in Washington-Lee High, Ar­ Doris M. Cochran; and at assorted- lington, Va., he collected amphi­ universities in Florida, Colorado, bians and reptiles throughout Ar­ etc.--on an earlier Air Force tour lington and Fairfax Counties. A between 1956 and 1960. number of these specimens are now part of the U.S. National Museum He checked the American Museum collection. As recent and past of Natural History (N.Y.) and also issues of VHS Bulletin bear wit­ the Museum of Comparative Zoology ness, he has added many other Va. collections for Virginia records. county records to the original Many hours were spent going over collection. preserved specimens and data slips in these institutions and others. Bill was working on "every VHS In some cases he actually worked herpetological project that seem­ as a week-end assistant cataloging ed interesting" to him when he was or indexing the collections. He called back into military service has gone over the U.S. National in late 1963. He is an Airman. Museum collection often and, in One of these interesting projects between college sessions, worked was the distribution of the Milk as an aide on loan from the U.S. Snakes in Virginia - - a Herculean Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau task all by itself -- on which he of Commercial Fisheries, (Interior), has made more than a large dent. with Smithsonian ichthylogists.

He has compiled a monumental His energy has been boundless-- work on the reptiles and amphib­ besides being one of the co-found­ ians of the Shenandoah National ers of VHS, he has amassed a large Park which is being reviewed by reference collection and a series others in advance of publication. of distribution maps which he has This manuscript includes keys to kept posted with verified Va. her- species and notes on distribution petological data. Only a portion and ecology. The National Park- is reflected on the accompanying Service, Department of Interior, pages. (See VHS Bulletin No. 38), has expressed interest in publish­ ing the work to .fill a gap in the Bill is Co-chairman of VHS and natural history of the Park. Be­ sits on the editorial board of the fore VHS, Bill was recognized as an VHS Bulletin. The Air Force may authority on the herpetology of not let him light in one spot for the Park by the earlier natural­ long but he keeps both of these ists at the Luray headquarters, VHS positions x\rarm enough to give as well as the present staff. strong evidence of his interest in Virginian herpetology. Bill has worked off his great He has recently successfully com­ enthusiasm for herpetology in a pleted a long technical electronics number of interesting spots: course under Air Force auspices. -- summertime jobs at the rep­ Bill was assigned this summer to tile house of the National Zoo; important USAF work requiring spare hours at the Division of high professional standards., p-p ABOUT THE EDITOR:

An early fondness for the Old Columbia College (New York)gave Dominion and an interest in nature him an A.B'. (Class of '42). Ten — particularly herpetology --grew days later, to his delight, the up with Franklin Tobey, Jr., born Army assigned him to Camp Pickett, in New Jersey on Washington's Day Blackstone, Va. in 1919. In .1943; as a young Medical Administrative Earliest herpetological re­ Corps'Officer after CCS at Car­ collections (1928-1929) are of lisle, Pa., he was sent to Tenn., catching Garter Snakes on rocks Georgia, and Mississippi before edging Mount Pocono's Wiseasset joining Patton's Third U.S. Army Golf Course and examining auto- in Europe. His principal off- flattened snakes on asphalt roads duty pursuit was archeology - but in the Pocono-Swiftwater,Pa. area. herpetology was not forgotten. He is now Lt.Colonel, USA Reserve. Winter evenings in the early thirties were spent reading Ditmars Back at Columbia University for while listening to "dreamy South­ graduate work in 1946-'47 he re­ land" radio music. He joined the ceived a Master's in Political Newark • (IT - J . ) Museum' s natural Economy.:. 194-7. summer he moved science club in 1933 and partici­ his young family to Washington,DC pated in the re-survey of N.J. where he took a position as an as­ snakes. Fifty high schools in New sociate editor with a national Jersey7s 21: counties took part. magazine. Home, 1948-1959, was in Fairfax County, Va. Nov/, as tem­ Active in Scouting since '30, porary residents of Maryland, the he won several nature study awards Tobeys look forward to building including Reptile Study Merit on their homesite at Great Falls, Badge - his first. He held Va. the job of assistant scout camp In 1958 Tobey became an infor­ naturalist from 1932 through '35. mation officer with the U.S. AEC . A 1932 "Camp Mohican Mirror"quote: Duties include announcements on "Speaking of the reptile addition the AEC bio-medical research pro­ to the museum, the nature direc­ grams. He contributes features on tor added, largely because of atomic energy to the Colliers En­ the addition of Franklin Tobey..." cyclopedia Yearbook (1960-'64). Member: National Press Club. Summers,1936 through 1940, he was In 1958 he organized the Virginia assistant to the scout camp's Herpetological Society after con­ physician. Eagle Scout, 1938. sultations .with the five other co-

Prep school employed him as an founders. At the first statewide assistant in the biology lab when meeting ('58) he was elected Sec­ retary and holds this post to the he was still a student. present.