36 SERPENTS OF THE NORTHEASTERN STATES 



The distribution of the copperhead is general except in areas of 

 intensive cultivation, and it prefers ledgy, wooded hills with a base of 

 uncultivated, damp meadows. 



The distribution of the timber rattlesnake is general throughout 

 the area with the exception of the major portion of the Catskills and 

 the whole of the Adirondacks. It is commonly associated with wilder, 

 hillier areas and the neighborhood of broken ledges of rock. 



The massasauga is essentially a western species of rattlesnake and 

 is found only in a limited area in western New York. It likes the 

 neighborhood, although not the actual location, of swamps. 



Precautions Against Accidents 



A pair of stout, canvas leggings or leather puttees is positive pro- 

 tection to the legs against northern poisonous serpents. The leggings, 

 however, should be worn with high shoes. If low-cut shoes are worn, 

 there is usually several inches of the ankle left exposed — and this 

 is the part of the limb most frequently bitten. 



With the legs protected, it is well to bear in mind that the use of 

 the hands in climbing rocky places or getting over a stone fence is 

 dangerous, unless each hand-hold is investigated with due thought of 

 crevices or hollows that may secrete a coiled serpent. Any thick, 

 brushy place or pile of leaves in the wilder country should be consid- 

 ered a hazard, unless the eye is keen in noting where the hand is di- 

 rected. 



In establishing a summer camp, it is well to ascertain from local 

 residents whether or not there is a particular prevalence of poisonous 

 snakes. We have several times been consulted about camps which have 

 unconsciously been located in the immediate vicinity of a den of rattle- 

 snakes or copperheads, with the consequence that a number of city 

 children, unfamiliar with woodcraft, have been turned loose in an 

 area over-run with poisonous reptiles. There are many ideal locations 

 for camps where poisonous serpents are seldom reported, and the 

 finding of such areas is not difficult. There are also fine camping areas 

 in most of the States under consideration in which no poisonous snakes 

 are ever to be found. 



While the education of young people in camps about the wild types 

 of life found in the nearby country is highly desirable, instructional 

 measures relating to poisonous snakes have been a bit overdone. By 

 this I mean the exhibition of numerous living specimens and the han- 

 dling of them in what is considered to be a safe way, to show the 

 poison fangs, etc., the carrying of such specimens to lectures, and the 

 like. Too much familiarity reduces respect for danger and it has been 

 noted that a good many boy students have been inclined to transport 

 poisonous reptiles in anything but a competent and cautious manner. 



