236 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



along natural waters had consumed forage fishes; game and pan fishes m.ade 

 up only a small percentage of the total. Among 106 specimens of stpedon 

 taken along Michigan trout streams, only 7 snakes (6.69^) had eaten trout 

 and all of these were small. Lagler and Salyer, in summarizing their findings, 

 state, "Any widespread control [of water snakes] on natural waters . . . can- 

 not be warranted biologically at this time. We are in general agreement, how- 

 ever, with the opinion of several workers . . . that reduction of populations at 

 fish-cultural stations is requisite and justifiable." 



The thought-provoking paper of Trembley (1948) on fishing conditions in 

 Pocono Mountain lakes (Pennsylvania) is recom.mended as "must" reading 

 for anyone who deplores the ruthless manner in which all predators have been 

 persecuted for decades. Trembley points out that numerous ponds and lakes 

 that provided excellent fishing ten to twenty-five years ago are no longer fished, 

 but their waters now support "very high populations of stunted fish, especially 

 small yellow perch." He further states, "All evidence in this area seems to 

 point to the conclusion that intensive removal of predators, especially those 

 that take small size fish, has been carried to the point of producing a serious 

 state of unbalance in the lakes. In the absence of predation, the large breed- 

 ing stock of lake fishes has produced enormous hordes of young destined never 

 to grow to full size. In the face of competition induced by overpopulation 

 these young become stunted and worthless to the fisherman." 



In suggestir.g a remedy for the situation, Trembley says, "Of the avian, 

 leptilian, and mammalian fish predators . . . the common watersnake, Natrix 

 sipedon, may offer the quickest solution of the overpopulation problem. It 

 increases rapidly if given protection. ... It is a local, non-mioratory animal 

 and therefore does not have to run the gamut of guns and other dangers over 

 a migration route of several thousand miles. It produces no valuable coat, 

 like the mammalian fish eaters. If given protection, it seems to be capable of 

 doing a good job of thinning out overabundant populations of small fish. If 

 it ever becomes too abundant for the best interests of the lake, which is very 

 doubtful, its numbers can very easily be reduced. Surprisingly enough, water- 

 snakes may add to the game fish supply of the lake since they catch more non- 

 game than game species and turn their food into young snakes which are 

 caught easily and eaten greedily by large bass and pickerel." 



Water snakes have virtually disappeared from many of the waters of 

 Pennsylvania, in which state the Fish Commission has long advocated the 

 extermination of Natrix. "Junior Conservationist" badges are still being 

 awarded by the Commission to youngsters who show proof of having killed 

 ten or more water snakes. 



It is encouraging to learn that certain other states are taking a more toler- 

 ant view and that they are willing to accept the findings of research workers 

 even in the face of blind prejudice to the contrary. The role of the predator 

 in nature is now well known, but the problem of convincing the lay public that 

 the ugly, often-pugnacious "water moccasin" is not only harmless but actually 

 useful, is one that offers no easy solution. 



