186 



The Analytic Key to the Family Crotalidae. , 



A. With no rattles at end of tail. No. 22. Agkistrodon contortrix (K). Copper- 



head Snake. Page 186. 

 AA. With rattles at end of tail. No. 26. 



B. Blotches on back in seven series; rattles small. No. 23. Sistrurus catenatus 



(Rafln). Prairie Rattle Snake. Page 190. 

 BB. Blotches on back in three rows, forming zigzag cross-blotches; rattles 

 large. No. 24. Crotalus horridus (L). Common Rattle Snake. Page 191. 



No. 22. Agkistrodon contortrix (L.). Coppirhead Snake. Plates XXXVI, 



XXXVII, XXXVIII. 



Drawa bg Vill-R-V^ItoQ 



Fig. 20.— Structural Characters of Coi)perhead Snake {A^jkMiitihin contortrix). 

 Slightly less than Natural Size. 



Drawn by the Artist of the Zoologist's Office, under Supervision of H. A. 

 Surface. 



The Copperhead Snake has a j^reat variety of common names 

 among which are Cotton-mouth, Hazel-head, Ked Viper, Cop])er- 

 belly, Red Adder, Deaf Adder, Pilot Snake and ''Knj)per Schlange,'' 

 in Pennsylvania German. The word "Pilot" should never be ap- 

 plied to this snake, but it is impossible for writers to change a 

 custom that has been so generally established as Ihat of applying 

 this term to the Copperhead Snake in the eastern part of our State, 

 instead of to that form of Black Snake to which it properly belongs. 



There is no creature more treacherous, despicable nor dangerous 

 in this State than the Copperhead Snake. It lurks in bushes or 

 grass or among stones, and strikes without warning and often 



