CHAPTER XLIV: THE MOCCASINS 



Genus Ancistrodon 



Descriptions of the Species — Their Habits 



With this genus the student is referred to a small group of 

 Crotaline snakes. Characteristic from the large shields on the 

 top of the head, arranged in similar fashion to the head-plates of 

 the harmless snakes. This character produces a general resem- 

 blance between the Moccasins, and many of the thick-bodied, 

 harmless serpents with coarsely keeled scales — such as the Water 

 Snakes, genus Tropidonoius. From such reptiles, however, the 

 Moccasins may be readily distinguished by the pit between 

 the eye and the nostril, and the elliptical pupil of the eye as 

 compared to the round pupil of the innocuous serpents. By 

 their head plates, the Moccasins appeal — among the Pit Vipers 

 — to the Dwarf Rattlesnakes, genus Sistrurus. 



The genus Ancislrodon is composed of ten species, seven of 

 which inhabit Central Asia generally, though some also extend 

 northward into Siberia, and others southward, through British 

 India, Ceylon and Java. One of the species occurs in the Islands 

 of Japan. The remaining three species inhabit the New World. 

 Two are confined to North America proper, while the third ranges 

 from Mexico into Central America. Two of the New World 

 species are semi-aquatic in habits. All are transversely banded, 

 and thus in colouration resemble the non-venomous Water Snakes 

 which are frequently confused with the poisonous reptiles and 

 destroyed as such. 



The Moccasins are highly venomous serpents. By some 

 toxicologists their poison is considered to be more deadly than 

 that of the dreaded rattlesnakes. 



These serpents are viviparous — producing living young, 

 but the broods are small and seldom exceed from seven to twelve. 

 The markings of the young are very vivid; the latter portion of 

 the tail is bright sulphur-yellow, which tint fades gradually 



414 



