Poisonous Animals oi-^ tiik Dissert 365 



both these rules, and there are harmless snakes with enlarged 

 heads, and several poisonous snakes with heads like those supposed 

 to belong to harmless kinds. The best rule we can suggest is that 

 you learn to know the poisonous snakes of your region, for they 

 are few to learn ; then regard all others not merely as harmless,, 

 but as actually useful, and treat them accordingly. Of all American 

 species of snakes, only 17 are poisonous. While it is true that the 

 venomous snakes are very useful also, we shall not plead for them, 

 but certainly there is not the slightest basis in fact for doing aught 

 else than protect the non-poisonous. This is so important at any 

 time, and particularly now, when every agency affecting our crops 

 is being carefully reckoned with, that we will take time and space 

 to quote from an article by Mr. G. K. Norton, in American Forestry, 

 who puts the case convincingly. He says, after recounting the 

 facts concerning the millions of dollars of damage done by rodent 

 pests : 



"Reptiles are a very important factor in the natural work of 

 restraining the too rapid increase of rodents. Practically all our 

 snakes feed largely upon rodents. One in particular which" has a 

 wide range is the Lampropeltis doliatus triangulus (milk snake, house 

 snake, spotted adder, checkered adder), which finds 90 per cent, of 

 its diet in small mammals. This reptile, together with dozens of 

 others, is absolutely harmless, defenseless, and in no way destruct- 

 ive, though many ridiculous tales are told of it. 



"The gross ignorance regarding our snakes causes slaughter 

 of all things that wear scales and crawl. Farmers should protect 

 and breed the harmless snakes rather than kill them. Many Euro- 

 pean countries have protective legislation. Another fact: all the 

 king snakes — and the family is large — are natural enemies of other 

 snakes and eat many of them. In numbers they probably over- 

 balance the poisonous species and by general distribution usually 

 occupy the same habitat as the dangerous snakes. In this way they 

 materially help to lessen danger of poisonous snake-bite. Until a 

 person is able to distinguish and name a snake immediately, and 

 know Avhether it is dangerous or not, that person has no right to 

 kill any snake. Every time a snake is killed more damage is being 

 done than good." 



LIZARDS 



Just one other poisonous reptile belongs to our fauna, — the 

 Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum. cover cut.) This and a 

 closely related species, Heloderma horridum, found only in Mexico, 

 are the only poisonous lizards in the world. Absolutely no other 

 lizards (these including the so-called "horned toads") are poison- 



