The Bull Snakes 



ments are given of a specimen of average size, from southern 

 New Jersey: 



Total Length 5 feet. 



Length of Tail. . . 8| inches. 



Diameter of Body if 



Length of Head if 



Width of Head i 



Distribution. Southern New Jersey, and southward through- 

 out Florida; westward to Ohio. This snake is most abundant 

 in the dry, pine woods of the Atlantic Coast region. 



Habits of the Pine Snake 



From the habit of emitting a very loud and prolonged 

 hiss when annoyed, the Pine Snake and other species of the genus 

 Pituophis, differ from the vast majority of snakes. This startling 

 sound is produced by a peculiar arrangement of the glottis, which 

 is the air opening, tube-like in form, that is attached to the lower 

 jaw of snakes. In front of the glottis, is an appendage termed 

 the epiglottis; this intensifies the sound of an angry exhalation 

 of the breath in precisely the same fashion as a bit of pasteboard 

 held in front of one's lips and blown upon forcibly. The snake 

 employs the organ to intimidate an enemy. Taking a deep 

 inhalation, it half opens its mouth, and emits the breath with 

 a noise that may be heard for fifty feet or more. To complete 

 a thoroughly hostile air to its antics it usually strikes at the 

 offending object while giving voice to its anger. As the snake's 

 head darts forward the reptile utters a sound that might rival 

 the plunging of a piece of red-hot metal into water. Generally 

 speaking the appearance of one of these snakes in a rage is quite 

 sufficient to excite profound respect in the mind of a person not 

 acquainted with it. During these hostile exhibitions the reptile 

 vibrates its tail so rapidly, that if among dried vegetation it 

 produces a noise similar to that of the rattlesnake. 



The Pine Snake is at most a bad-tempered reptile, and 

 although an occasional specimen will become quiet and docile 

 in captivity, the majority of these snakes are morose and sullen 

 and savagely resent familiarity from human hands. The de- 

 meanour of captive specimens is such that many specimens refuse 

 to eat and ultimately starve to death. 



A powerful constrictor, the Pine Snake feeds upon small 



