Markings conspicuously different at opposite ends of body. Blotches near head dark brown, obscuring ground color and often running together, and 2 blotches near and on tail, brown or russet, clear cut, and well seperated. Total number of body blotches ( in middorsal row) 40 or less. Ground color buff, changing to more yellowish on and near tail. Head buff and profusely spotted or splotched with dark brown. Belly boldly marked with black. Hisses loudly. Scales keeled; anal single.