98 THE COPPER-HEAD SNAKE. 



THE name of WATER VIPER (Ancistrodon piscivorum) is appropriately given to the 

 creature now before us, in consequence of its water-loving habits. 



It is a native of many parts of America, and is never seen at any great distance from 

 water, being found plentifully in the neighborhood of rivers, marshes, and in swampy lands. 

 It is a good climber of trees, and may be seen entwined in great numbers on the branches that 

 overhang the water. On the least alarm, the reptile glides from the branch, drops into the 

 water, and wriggles its way into a place of safety. The object of climbing the trees seems to 

 be that the creature delights to bask in the sun, and takes that method of gratifying its 

 inclination where the whole of the soil is wet and marshy. But in those localities where it 

 can find dry banks and rising grounds, the Water Viper contents itself with ascending them 

 and lying upon the dry surface enjoying the genial warmth. 



It is a most poisonous reptile, and is even more dreaded by the negroes than the rattle- 

 snake, as, like the fer-de-lance, it will make the first attack, erecting itself boldly, opening 

 its mouth for a second or two, and then darting forward with a rapid spring. At all 

 times it seems to be" of an aggressive character, and has been known to chase and bite other 

 Snakes put into the same cage, the poor creatures fleeing before it and endeavoring to escape 

 by clinging to the sides of the cage. But when several other individuals of the same species 

 were admitted, the very Snake that had before been so ferocious, became quite calm, and a 

 box containing four or five specimens has been sent on a journey of many miles without any 

 quarrels ensuing among the inmates. 



The food of the Water Viper consists of fishes, which it can procure by its great rapidity 

 of movement and excellent swimming powers, of reptiles and even of birds. Mr. T. W. Wood 

 has favored me with an account of the manner in which a Water Viper devoured the prey 

 that was put before it: 



"A short time ago I had the good fortune to be present when some captured reptiles 

 of this species were fed. Some sparrows and titlarks were put into the apartment containing 

 several specimens of the Water Viper. The sparrows seemed very much terrified, and soon 

 huddled together in a corner, afraid, as I suppose, of the spectators. 



"One of the titlarks, however, bolder than the rest, ran about as if at home. One of the 

 Water Vipers perceiving it quiet for a moment, seemed to fix its eye upon the poor little 

 creature. The reptile commenced moving towards the bird slowly but surely, their eyes being 

 intently fixed upon each other. When the Serpent had approached within about half an 

 inch, it opened its mouth and seized the bird by the side, its left wing being grasped in the 

 Snake's mouth. The ill-fated bird instantly gave two or three convulsive struggles, the head 

 then dropped, the eyes closed, and all was over ; a drop of blood oozed slowly out of the 

 bird's bill. The reptile did not release the bird after it was bitten, but began to swallow it 

 almost immediately. 



"Another titlark was then introduced by the keeper. This bird was, when I approached, 

 lying on its side as if dead. Another Water Viper seized its head and commenced swallowing 

 it, the bird struggling violently ; at each effort of deglutition the venomous fangs were seen to 

 move forward. In this case the poison did not take such rapid effect, as the bird was 

 evidently alive when it disappeared down the reptile's throat." 



The color of the Water Viper is greenish brown, taking a yellowish tone along the sides, 

 and banded with blackish brown. It seldom exceeds two feet in length. This serpent is also 

 known by the popular names of COTTON-MOUTH and WATER MOCCASIN SNAKE. 



THE COPPER-HEAD SNAKE of the same country is closely allied to it. An illustration 

 of it is to be found on next page. This is the dreaded* Cotton-mouth of the Southern 

 negroes. It inhabits rather low ground, and extends along the Catskill range as far as the 

 Gulf States. Its color is a hazel-brown, with a light coppery hue upon its head. Its length 

 is about two feet. It is justly dreaded as a most vicious and venomous reptile. Though differ- 

 ing from the preceding in some respects, particularly in having no rattles, it has poison fangs 

 that are quite deadly in application to man or beast. The names Dumb Rattle, Red Adder t 

 Red Viper, Deaf Adder, and Chunk-head, are applied to it in various sections of country. 



