2 io ] Snakes and Frogs and Their Relatives 



WHAT POISONOUS SNAKES LOOK LIKE 

 The rattlesnakes vary considerably in size and general 

 appearance, but all of them are identified by their "rattles." You 

 can distinguish copperheads by hourglass-shaped markings on the 

 back. Usually, but not always, the top of the head is bronze or 

 copper colored. 



Water moccasins have markings resembling those of the copper- 

 head, but they are not noticeably copper colored. The inside of 

 the mouth has a whitish color. Unlike most snakes, which try a 

 hurried retreat at the approach of an enemy, water moccasins 

 stand their ground and fight any intruder in their territory. 



Coral snakes are brightly colored, with red, yellow, and black 

 rings encircling the body. They closely resemble certain harmless 

 species, and considerable concentration is needed to distinguish 

 the harmless types from the deadly poisonous coral species. 



WHEN You ENCOUNTER A SNAKE 



If you accidentally come upon a snake and are frightened, 

 just bear in mind that the snake is doubtless as anxious to get 

 away from you as you are to avoid it. Remember that it has no 

 "power of hypnotism." This has been proved many times by 

 experiments in which birds, guinea pigs, and other animals were 

 placed in cages with a snake and where they acted entirely un- 

 concerned about their reptile companion. If you can think of a 

 snake as "just another animal," it will be easy for you to remain 

 calm and move away from your unwelcome discovery. 



If you are actively interested in snake collecting, you ought to 

 be thoroughly familiar with first-aid treatment for poisonous 

 snake bite and have a snake-bite kit along on all field trips if 

 there are poisonous species in the vicinity. 



You will also want to have a "snake stick" for capturing live 

 specimens. A two-pronged metal fork attached to a pole, or a cut 

 stick with a forked end, may serve your purpose. You can pin down 

 the snake behind the head until you are ready to pick it up and 

 transfer it to a bag. 



