129 



The length of this species may become as much as six feet, possibly 

 more. 



Distributed from Massachusetts to Kausas, south to North Carolina 

 and Texas. 



It is to be found, in all probability, in nearly all the counties of Indi- 

 ana, but it is in most places quite rare. I can name only two localities 

 where it has been taken recently and record of it preserved. These are 

 New Harmony (Sampson's coll.) and Monroe county (Ind. Univ. coll.). 



Habits. — No American snake has probably been so carefully studied 

 as has this and its immediate relatives. This is due to the dangerous 

 nature of this animal and to the interesting structures shown in its rattle 

 and its arrangements for producing and instilling its poison. The results 

 of some of these studies may be learned by consulting the works referred 

 to on page 123. 



In its free state this species appears to inhabit wooded districts, although 

 it may probably sometimes be found on prairies. It especially delights in 

 taking up its abode where there are rocks and debris among which it can 

 find at short notice a safe retreat. Its movements of locomotion are 

 rather slow. When surprised it will often seek to escape, without inflict- 

 ing injury on its enemy. When, however, it is pressed, or there is no 

 time for retreat, it delivers a blow with such rapidity that the motion can 

 hardly be followed. The mouth is held open, the fangs directed forward, 

 and if possible they are buried in the victim. At the same time the 

 poison gland is squeezed by the proper muscles, so that the poison is 

 injected deep into the wound. If the amount of poison is large it may be 

 quickly fatal to even large animals. Small animals, as birds and mice, 

 almost immediately succumb to the deadly influence. It is usual for the 

 Rattlesnake to sound its rattle when it has been disturbed by some animal 

 which it has reason to fear. The use of this alarm has been much dis- 

 cussed. Some have regarded it as an imitation of grasshoppers in order 

 to allure birds within its reach. Others have thought it a sexual call. 

 Still others think it a providential arrangement to prevent injury to 

 innocent animals and man. It is doubtless of use to warn off" animals that 

 might do injury to the snake itself, or at least compel it to use up its store 

 of poison and its fangs, all of which it needs to procure its food. Dr. A. 

 R. Wallace has suggested in his recently published " Darwinism" that the 

 creature has acquired the structure and habit in order to warn off" buzzards 

 and other snake-eaters that might pounce on it as it lies on naked rocks. 

 It is a warning note, saying, "Look out for yourself! Your life if you 

 injure me." 



Rattlesnakes do not appear to try to injure one another by biting. 



Indeed, Dr. Mitchell states that the poison does not affect the snakes 



hemselves. He says that he has over and over injected under the skin 



of "a rattlesnake its own venom or that of a moccasin or of another 



