The Elapine Poisonous Snakes 



fond of the blue-tailed lizard (Eumeces) and finds them without 

 trouble as they creep under the loose bark of logs and fallen timber 

 for the night. 



In captivity, the Coral Snake invariably dies within a few 

 weeks if denied a situation that permits it burrowing and hiding 

 for the greater part of the time. It may be kept successfully 

 by giving it a case provided with several inches depth of sphagnum 

 moss; but it is delicate and,unless kept in a temperatureof seventy- 

 five degrees Fahrenheit or over, will persistently refuse food. 

 Experiments were conducted in the reptile house for several 

 years with a view of producing quarters where this interesting 

 snake could be placed on exhibition to be seen, and yet to partially 

 favour its subterranean habits. When placed on thin layers of 

 moss and sand it continually burrowed for a place to hide and 

 refused all food. Specimens in cases well filled with moss, 

 lived and thrived, but were never seen by visitors. Finding it 

 practically impossible to strike the happy medium, a few spec- 

 imens are kept on hand to be uncovered occasionally for the bene- 

 fit of students, but the idea of an exhibition cage has for some 

 time been abandoned. 



When feeding, this snake displays a ferocity and snappiness 

 of motion quite contrary to its generally sluggish disposition. If 

 the prey be a snake, it is quickly seized by the neck or body and 

 the fangs advanced in a series of chewing movements. At the 

 beginning, this operation injects considerable venom and prepares 

 the prey for the swallowing process. Working its fangs along the 

 body of the fated creature, the snake shifts its victim into a posi- 

 tion whence it may be swallowed head first. Frequently the 

 quarry defends itself vigorously, biting the body of its foe and 

 twisting itself about in a manner calculated to worry the enemy 

 and release the grip of the relentless jaws. To these struggles, 

 the poisonous snake pays little attention unless they become 

 especially energetic, when it makes another series of wounds with 

 the fangs, biting with a jerky, side movement, with the evident 

 view of imbedding the venom-conducting teeth as deeply as pos- 

 sible. The fight is of short duration, for the prey is soon be- 

 numbed, when the limp body is engulfed at leisure. 



The Coral Snake is oviparous. Its eggs are very elongate 

 and are deposited in decaying bark or damp soil. A large spec- 

 imen in the writer's collection laid seven eggs on the 29th of June. 



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