July 24, 1805, near present-day Townsend, Montana.

Brown, greenish, bluish, or black; usually with distinct red, orange, or yellow stripe down middle of back. Side stripe down second and third scale rows may be faint or absent. Sides occasionally dark-spotted. Belly yellow or gray, often with red blotches. Length: 15-26 in (38.1-66 cm).

Moist meadows, open grassy patches, pastures, and along the edge of thickets, but usually not in dense forest; sea level to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Vancouver Island and coastal southern British Columbia, western Washington, western Oregon, and extreme northwestern California.