NORTON] 



THE COPPERHEAD SNAKE 



269 



"The head is usually of a paler tint than the body — often show- 

 ing a coppery tinge, thus the popular name. The upper lips are 

 of a lighter shade than the top of the head, the line of intersection 

 between the two hues beginning behind the eyes and extending to 

 the angle of the mouth. 



"The ground color varies into different shades of brown and gray, 

 but the pattern remains strong and constant, though some cop- 

 perheads found inland are dark with a faint pattern. When close- 



Photo from the Reptile Book, 

 Courtesy of Doubleday Page & Co. 



Skull of Pit Viper 



The active fangs are forced forward when the mouth is opened. Note the auxiliary 

 fangs. The active fangs are shed periodically. The skull proves that a poisonous snake is 

 not rendered harmless by the removal of the active fangs. 



ly examined the majority of specimens will be seen to have the 

 sides thickly powdered with tiny black dots. Some specimens 

 from Ohio which I examined were a rich, dark brown, with little 

 trace of the bands. Specimens from Texas had fewer bands which 

 were wider, distinctly reddish and intensified by a whitish border. 

 "The tongue of this species is rather at variance, in color, with 

 snakes in general. This organ is usually red at the base, with 

 whitish forked section. It holds no ' sting' and is used for the same 

 purpose as are all snake tongues — to feel and hear. 



