The Elapine Poisonous Snakes 



appearing head, this pretty creature is known to possess poisonous 

 fangs, but from a theoretical standpoint the assumption is that a 

 snake of such graceful appearance, with ail the characteristic 

 stamp of a venomous snake removed, is, if poisonous at all, very 

 mildly so. This is the argument, and the writer has many times 

 observed these attractively coloured reptiles handled in the most 

 careless manner, and has been scoffed at for interfering for the 

 good of the careless individual who would not believe. 



The Coral Snake belongs io a sub-faniily that contains some 

 of the most deadly known species of snakes. Among its near allies 

 are the Cobra-de-capello, the Krait and the Australian Tiger 

 Snake. All the snakes of this sub-family are noted for their 

 resemblance to the harmless snakes, and though possessing very 

 small poison fangs are provided with a venom that is more deadly 

 in effect than that of the ihick-hodicd vipers. 



It is owing to the fact of the Coral Snake possessing very 

 short fangs that some scientists, who have made detailed examina- 

 tions of alcoholic specimens, have pronounced their verdict — 

 "poisonous, but very slightly so." It might be well for these 

 writers to appreciate that the fangs of the Coral Snake are slightly 

 larger in proportion to the reptile's si{e than those of the acknowledged 

 deadly Cobra, and that the former reptile secretes a venom more 

 powerful than that of the rattlesnake. 



Thus, in spite of its pretty colours and alleged "docile 

 nature," the writer feels that this serpent should be described as 

 it really is. It should be placed in the list of dangerously poi- 

 sonous snakes — given rank in point of deadliness with the long- 

 fanged vipers, in comparison with which its poisonous characters 

 have been scoffed at. 



During many years, the writer has examined several hundred 

 specimens of this snake and at no time has been able to note any 

 particular degree of docility. It is true that a serpent of this 

 kind may be handled without accident, as its actions in biting are 

 quite different from many snakes. Nevertheless, the danger is 

 great in handling it. It might be incidentally explained that the 

 rattlesnake, the copperhead and the moccasin might likewise 

 be handled after the fever of anger attending their capture has 

 passed. Such has been the case with many reckless men who 

 style themselves "rattlesnake charmers," and the like. When 

 first disturbed in their native wilds, these latter, thick-bodied 



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