NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK HOLLISTEK, 593 



cottonmouth, but he is an aquatic species and does not range so far 

 to the north as does the copperhead. 



The common water snake {Natrix sipedon) and the southern water 

 snake {N. taxispilotus) are often mistaken for tlie moccasin; they 

 are ill-tempered snakes but harmless, and on close examination may 

 be distinguished from the moccasin and copperhead by the absence of 

 the deep "pit" between the eye and nostril, a characteristic fea- 

 ture of those venomous species and the rattlesnakes. The specimens 

 shown of a related species, Imown as the water coral snake {Jlelico'pii 

 cmgulatus)^ were captured in Trinidad and were sent to the park 

 with other reptiles from that island by Hon. Henry D. Baker, 

 American consul at Port of Spain. 



Other harmless American snakes kept in the collection are the 

 black snake {Coluber constrictor) sometimes called the "blue racer," 

 and his near relative, the coachwhip snake {G. fagellum) , both of 

 which sometimes attain a length of 5 feet. Several species of the 

 pretty little garter snakes, as well as the king snake, the pine snake, 

 chicken snake, bull snake, gopher snake, and others are commonly 

 shown. 



