The Moccaains 



Distribution. — ^The eastern and central portions of the United 

 States generally, from Massachusetts (inclusive) to the northern 

 portions of Florida; westward to Illinois, and in the extreme 

 South to the Rio Grande in Texas. 



Habits of the Copperhead Snake 



Wliile alleged to possess a most vicious disposition, the 

 Copperhead Snake by no means displays more hostility than the 

 other poisonous snakes. Like the Moccasin, it becomes very 

 tame in captivity, where it thrives and breeds, showing more 

 vivacity than the Southern snake, but a generally good-natured 

 demeanour toward man. 



Often in transferring these snakes from one cage to another, 

 the writer has noted their even temper. After being a few days 

 captive, they seldom "strike" and soon begin feeding regularly, 

 a sign among reptiles generally that temper and health are good. 



In the Northern States the Copperhead frequents rocky 

 places, usually in the vicinity of moderately thick timber, marshy 

 glades or hollows. Here these snakes find abundance .of food 

 in the shape of birds, small rodents and frogs. They also feed 

 upon other snakes. Stone quarries that have been the scene 

 of much blasting and final desertion, are often selected as the 

 abodes of numbers of these reptiles, which hibernate in the deep 

 clefts of the rocks. In the South, judging from the writer's 

 experience, the Copperhead does not frequent the swamps and ^ 

 lowgrounds as does the timber rattlesnake which is distributed y ' 

 over much the same areas as the species in question and in the 

 North occurs in similar rocky situations with the latter. It seeks 

 higher and drier ground. In the coast regions of Georgia and North 

 Carolina none of these snakes was taken in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of the many swamps and stretches of lowground. 

 However, they were moderately common on the neighbouring 

 plantations, where the ground was suitable for planting. 



When disturbed in its native haunts this snake will generally 

 make an effort to glide quietly away if escape is open. If caught 

 at close quarters, andflight be impossible, it defends itself vigorously, 

 throwing the body into a series of irregular loops and striking 

 in the direction of the enemy. At such times a rapid, vibratory 

 movement is communicated to the tail, which produces a distinct, 

 buzzing sound, if the serpent be among dry leaves. Throughout 



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