Description
According to Wright and Wright (1957), adults grow to an average length of 78-109 cm (31-43 inches). Klauber (1997) reports the maximum length to be less at 1,032 mm (40⅝ inches), with the smallest gravid female measuring 701 mm (27⅝ inches). Hubbs and O'Connor (2012) list an adult size range of 812-1219 mm (32-48 inches).
The color pattern consists of a dark grayish, brownish black, reddish brown, or blackish ground color, overlaid with a dorsal pattern of blotches that are rectangular anteriorly, becoming subhexagonal posteriorly, eventually becoming crossbands just before the tail. However, specimens also may be a uniform dark color without any clear dorsal pattern, or the dorsal blotches may be even darker and bordered with white, cream, or yellow transverse rows of scales, or the color pattern may be quite pale with a significant amount of yellow mixed in. A postocular stripe is evident in lightly colored specimens, but not so much in darker ones.
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