The Rattlesnakes 



proportionately much larger with the Croialus. The other rival of 

 our big rattlesnake, in point of supreme deadliness, is the king 

 cobra or hamadryas, {Naja hungarns) of Malaysia. But this 

 is a slender-bodied colubrine snake, and, while attaining a 

 length of twelve feet, has fangs that are barely a third of an inch 

 long. Its venom acts in a different fashion from that of the 

 vipers — immediately attacking the nerve centres. 



In the structure of the fangs the Diamond-back Rattlesnake, 

 its near ally the western diamond rattlesnake, Croialus airox, 

 and the variety ruber, together with the black-tailed rattle- 

 snake, C. molossiis, are interesting examples, for these serpents 

 have proportionately larger fangs than other venomous snakes 

 of the United States. In this character they appeal directly 

 to the South American species of Lachesis — the bushmaster — 

 the fer-de-lance * — the jararaca f and others that have enor- 

 mously developed, poison conducting teeth. 



Distribution. — Low, coastal regions of the southeastern United 

 States, from southern North Carolina southward throughout 

 Florida and westward to the Mississippi River. The species is 

 most abundant in Florida and occurs on many of the keys. 



Habits of the Diamond-back Rattlesnake 



Most deadly of the North American poisonous snakes and 

 ranking in size with the largest of the tropical venomous serpents 

 of both the New and the Old World, this huge Rattlesnake with 

 its brilliant and symmetrical markings, is a beautiful and a ter- 

 rible creature. Ever bold and alert, ever retaining its wild 

 nature when captive, there is a certain awe-inspiring grandeur 

 about the coil of this formidable brute; the glittering black eyes, 

 the slow waving tongue, and the incessant, rasping note of 

 the rattle. All dignity, the "Diamond-back" scorns to flee 

 when surprised. His neighbour, the cane-brake rattler, may 

 retreat in good order, rattling as he goes, but retreating neverthe- 

 less; with this pirate of the hummocks, it is different. The mere 

 vibration of a step throws the creature upon guard. Taking a 

 deep inhalation, the snake inflates the rough, scaly body to the 

 tune of a low, rushing sound of air. Shifting the coils to un- 



* Lachesis lanceolatus. South America and the West Indies, 

 t Lachesis atrox. South America and the West Indies. 



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