SNAKES 



The use of snakes as symbols has been popular throughout 

 the ages. Egyptian Pharaohs wore the likeness of a poisonous 

 asp on their headdresses in the belief that this protected them 

 from harm and gave thenn power to destroy their enemies. The 

 Caduceus, a winged staff with two snakes coiled around it, has 

 become the symbol of nnedicine because the ancient Greeks 

 thought that snakes had the power to heal. The first Annerican 

 flag had a snake on it. This flag pictured a rattlesnake with 

 thirteen rattles representing the colonies and bore the words, 

 "Don't Tread On Me." 



But most persons throughout the centuries have considered 

 the snake as a symbol of evil or repulsiveness. Numerous 

 superstitions are still connected with snakes, but with a better 

 understanding of the life habits of these creatures, the founda- 

 tions of such superstitions can be destroyed. 



i 



Food *• 



All snakes eat other animals. Some small snakes feed 

 primarily on earthworms and insects, but certain larger snakes 

 prefer frogs, lizards, fish, or birds. Many take numerous rats 

 and mice. Strangely enough, many snakes are fond of eating 

 other snakes. 



Snakes have various ways of catching their food. One of 

 them, the wornn snake, burrows through the ground to eat 

 earthworms and grubs. Many snakes simply grab their prey 

 with their teeth and swallow it. Some snakes kill by con- 

 striction. When one of these catches an animal, it throws coils 

 of its body around the victim and squeezes, causing death by 

 suffocation. Poisonous snakes have the most specialized method 

 of killing their prey. These snakes strike an animal and inject 

 poison through long hollow teeth or fangs. 



After killing its prey, a snake is faced with the big job of 

 eating it. Since snakes don't have hands and cannot chew up 

 their food, they must swallow it whole. Snakes are well adapted 

 for this and can swallow animals that are larger around than 

 they are. The elastic nature of their nnouth allows the jaws to 

 be greatly expanded. 



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 



Stewart L. Udall, Secretary 



FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



CADUCEUS 



