The King Snakes 



more beneficial work for the agriculturist in the destruction of the 

 smaller rodents, so injurious to the grain. 



The remarkable immunity of this serpent against the action 

 of snake venom is not restricted alone to this one member of the 

 genus, but on account of the larger size of the species, it has been 

 subjected to more extended experimentation than the smaller and 

 less hardy snakes of the group. While the majority of snakes 

 quickly succumb to an injection of serpent poison, the King Snake 

 may be repeatedly wounded by the fangs of a living serpent, or 

 injected hypodermically, without showing ill effects from the in- 

 troduction of the formidable fluid into its blood. Some three 

 years ago, repeated experiments were conducted upon a large 

 specimen that is now thriving. It was injected with the venom 

 of the diamond-back rattlesnake, the copperhead snake, the moc- 

 casin and the West Indian "fer-de-lance," without showing any bad 

 effects beyond an intimation of sluggishness appearing an hour 

 or so after the injection and entirely passing away several hours 

 later. 



Despite its hostility toward other species of snakes, the King 

 Snake shows a very mild nature with man. Specimens captured 

 by the writer were in rather dry patches of timber; some were 

 taken while basking in the sun of small glades in the forest; 

 others were found hiding under fallen tree trunks. When first 

 caught they strike vigorously, emitting a short hiss which sounds 

 more like a sneeze; at such times the majority of specimens eject 

 a powerful, musky odour from glands near the base of the tail. 

 These vigorous symptoms pass away within a few minutes' time, 

 when most specimens may be handled without evincing the least 

 signs of bad temper. As captives, few reptiles are more gentle 

 or devoid of nervousness than the present species in fact, the 

 King Snake and the big gopher or Indigo Snake may be said to be 

 'the ideal serpents for objects of study in captivity; botrT'are very 

 hardy and will live for years. The former will feed upon mice, 

 sparrows and smaller snakes of other species. Unlike many ser- 

 pents, it is not particular in demanding living prey, as it will 

 readily take dead mice and rats, and sometimes strips of raw 

 beef. 



When being handled, these snakes will usually coil firmly 

 about one's fingers to prevent themselves from falling. During 

 these actions the muscular development of the snake may be 



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