The King Snakes 



snake exhibits a pugnacious interest in other serpents that may 

 be considerably larger than itself, engaging these creatures in a 

 duel to the death, during which, however, they are able to make 

 but little resistance, when encircled by the wonderfully strong, 

 constricting coils of the enemy. 



It is from this fighting disposition among serpents, that the 

 King Snake has acquired its popular name. Supposition had 

 it that this species relentlessly trails the rattlesnake, and other 

 poisonous reptiles of which it is the natural enemy. This is not 

 true for the King Snake takes no more interest in the rattlesnakes 

 and other poisonous species than the common striped snake 

 that may unconsciously prowl across its path. Moreover, this 

 snake spends no time in actually searching for venomous reptiles 

 that it may destroy them. If, accidentally, in its wanderings 

 it meets a rattlesnake, there is certain to be trouble for the latter 

 unless it continues on its way without hesitation, for the King 

 Snake delights to pick quarrels over nothing and once aroused 

 will coil itself tightly about its astonished adversary and begin 

 to squeeze. Slowly the grip grows tighter and the victim, if it 

 be venomous, uses its fangs freely upon the body of the tormentor, 

 but to no effect, as the King Snake is entirely immune to snake 

 poison. But the wounds enrage it. Winding the lithe body 

 round and round the doomed creature, until every part of the 

 shining length is engaged, it tightens with such strength that the 

 victim is benumbed, unable to bite, and is quickly strangled. So 

 powerful is this snake in proportion to its size, and aided as it 

 is by great agility of motion, that even the large and strong con- 

 stricting snakes of other species fall easy victims when attacked. 



It must be explained, however, that such battles between 

 the King Snake and the larger serpents are rather unusual, and 

 it will be appreciated from the foregoing explanation that these 

 occurrences are the results of accidental meetings. When the 

 King Snake captures a serpent smaller than itself, the prey is 

 overpowered in the fashion described and eaten. And it should 

 be explained as well, in all due justice to the King Snake, that 

 specimens of the copperhead snake, the ground rattlesnake as 

 well as fair-sized representatives of the larger rattlers are fre- 

 quently killed and eaten. From this fact alone, the species 

 demonstrates its usefulness toward mankind. From the stand- 

 point of economic value, however, the King Snake performs 



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