The Racers 



plates of t!ie undersurface, and its good-natured demeanour, 

 combine to make it a favourite in collections. 



The Indigo Snake is found in the sandy portions of the 

 southeastern United States and often glides for the burrows 

 of the gopher tortoise when danger threatens — hence one of its 

 popular names — the Gopher Snake. The spectacle of one of 

 these big serpents, trailing its black length over a stretch of 

 light sand is one to arouse the enthusiasm of the naturalist. 

 Powerful and agile, though considerably less active in flight 

 than such ophidians as the blacksnake and the coachwhip snake, 

 it shows little of the viciousness of these creatures. A freshly 

 captured specimen will often submit to handling with a perfect 

 show of good nature, but when surprised in its native haunts, 

 and escape be cut ofT, the Indigo Snake assumes a position quite 

 unique among serpents. Flattening the head, it compresses 

 the neck for some inches, so that the latter is flattened vertically. 

 It then arches the neck slightly, and in this eccentric attitude 

 will strike at the object of its anger. At such times the snake 

 rapidly vibrates the tail. But these exhibitions of bad temper 

 are generally short and spasmodic, and the reptile becomes very 

 tame in captivity, feeding readily from the hand. Contrary to 

 the strength indicated in the stout, though graceful body, 

 the Indigo Snake is not a constrictor, but feeds in the same 

 fashion as the blacksnake, namely, by holding the prey to the 

 ground under a portion of the body and engulfing the animal 

 at the same time. 



While most snakes confine their food either to warm-blooded 

 animals, or to other reptiles and batrachians, this species is quite 

 omnivorous, feeding with equal voracity upon small mammals 

 apd birds, frogs, toads, lizards, and other snakes. Captive spec- 

 imens are very fond of small fishes. Few reptiles are so hardy 

 in captivity. A specimen has been in the writer's collection for 

 eleven years. This snake was full-grown when received. The 

 writer has exhibited it to many friends who were prejudiced 

 against snakes, but when noting the complete docility of the 

 handsome creature, have become quickly reconciled to the 

 fact that the actual serpent is a far different animal than the 

 imaginative one. The amateur snake student can select no 

 more satisfactory reptile for observation and study than the 

 Indigo Snake. 



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