Identification: light markings forming variable crossbands which are

gray in females and white in males; black belly; chunky

Habitat: moist sandy areas to dry hillsides

Breeding: Autumn; female deposits eggs in low depression that fills with

rain; female guards eggs until they hatch

Range: southern New England to northern Florida and west to Illinois,

southern Oklahoma and east Texas; colonies near southern

perimeters of Lakes Erie and Michigan and northern border between

Ohio and Indiana

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