British Reptiles and Amphibians 



evidently aids it considerably in disencumbering itself 

 of its disused mantle. 



In keeping with other reptiles, the Ringed Snake is 

 branded as a dangerous creature to handle, but the 

 reverse is the case. To many people all crawling life 

 is in a sense repulsive. The very form of a gliding 

 snake denotes to the mind a cunning stealth that has 

 to be guarded against. It brings with it an echo of 

 that old-world story and the figure of that wily Serpent 

 of the Garden of Eden. 



Maligned certainly all such creatures are, but the 

 Ringed Snake ought not to be on the list. This reptile 

 has no poison fangs, and consequently is quite harm- 

 less ; but when handled or excited it discharges a most 

 disagreeable odour from a gland situated near the anus 

 — one could hardly imagine any odour more offensive. 

 Of all the Snakes, the Ringed species seems to take 

 more out of summer than its compeers. It will be 

 observed hunting earlier in the season than any of the 

 other species, and it may also be seen weeks after the 

 others have gone into the hibernating state. 



This Snake has no external ears and thus is probably 

 deficient in the sense of hearing. It has keen vision 

 and can detect its prey at a distance by sight. Having 

 no eyelids, each eye is protected by a transparent mem- 

 brane. It is very sensitive to touch, a sense which is 

 highly developed in the forked protrusible tongue, 

 which can be extended through a notch in the snout 

 even when the mouth is closed. 



38 



