128 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



seen several over six feet in length, and one which measured seven 

 feet one inch. I have been told that a snake was killed on Anastasia 

 Island which measured nearly nine feet in length. 



SISTRURUS niLIARIUS {Linn). 

 Ground Rattlesnake. 



A small snake, rather common, but not often seen, as it keeps 

 well concealed in thick places and under old logs. 



It is poisonous but its fangs are small. Ordinary antiseptic treat- 

 ment of the wound and a rather free use of stimulants usually 

 prevents serious results. 



This snake rarely exceeds two and a half to three feet in length. 

 The back is marked with black and red and it has a button on the 

 end of the tail, but no rattles. 



Although this little rattlesnake is common in Florida very few of 

 them are seen during the cold months. 



AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS {Lm?i.). 

 rioccasin, Stump-Tail Moccasin, Cotton-flouth Moccasin. 



This is a water snake, fully as venomous as the rattlesnake, and^ 

 much more vicious. They are not common, however, and are rarely 

 seen. I have killed specimens over five feet in length ; but it is 

 somewhat unusual for them to attain that size. One killed at the 

 mouth of Moccasin Creek, Banana River, measured five feet two 

 inches. It is a dark-colored snake, the under parts blotched with 

 black and yellow. Young specimens are brighter colored and some- 

 what resemble in color A. contortrix, but the copperhead has not as 

 yet been recorded from Florida. 



Like most of the venomous snakes, it has fangs, but no teeth on the 

 upper jaw. Its poison is similar in its action to crotaline, and should 

 be treated in a similar manner. If bitten by a poisonous snake, the 

 wound should receive immediate attention. Ligatures applied (for 

 a time) above and below the bite, cutting the wound to make it bleed 

 freely, and the rather free use of whisky may perhaps be recom- 

 mended while awaiting the advice of some regular physician. 



