The Rattlesnakes 



the trails, other traces of this dreaded snake were several times 

 evident, in the loss of several fine dogs, which, making their 

 way under the floors of the numerous deserted cabins in the neigh- 

 bourhood, had been bitten and staggered into camp in a dying 

 condition. 



As a captive, the Diamond-back differs from most snakes 

 in the display of a persistently sullen disposition. Few spec- 

 imens become enough accustomed to captivity to refrain from 

 using their rattles vigorously upon the slightest disturbance. 

 While Rattlesnakes of other species may lie silently all about 

 them and yet be fresher captive than themselves, the rattles of 

 the Diamond-backs are seldom quiet if an observer be near. It 

 is not necessary for these snakes to see a human form to display 

 annoyance. So sensitive are they to vibration that a foot-fall 

 starts their rattles which continue buzzing for some time, then 



gradually settle to a monotonous chick-chick chick-chick 



chick-chick chick chick chick and cease to sound. 



Morose and hostile lie these sullen coils, for month after month, 

 never taming, but always ready to fight and sound the tireless 

 rattles. 



Taking thus unkindly to captivity, the Diamond-back is 

 indifferent in its feeding habits. Some specimens absolutely 

 refuse to partake of food at all and gradually starve themselves 

 to death, while others feed so sparingly that they ultimately meet 

 the same fate. A large specimen in the writer's collection fasted 

 for thirteen months, or rather would have done so if it had not 

 been fed by pushing food down its throat though this was done 

 but three times during that lengthy period. After the expiration 

 of the time mentioned, this snake began to feed of its own accord 

 taking half-grown rabbits and thrived for several years. A 

 Rattlesnake that feeds regularly, is rarely one that uses its rattle 

 to any extent. 



The favourite food of the Diamond-back Rattlesnake is the 

 common wild rabbit, or "cotton-tail"; in captivity ordinary 

 domesticated rabbits may be substituted. These snakes will 

 occasionally take guinea pigs and sometimes rats, but the writer 

 has never succeeded in inducing them to feed upon feathered 

 prey of any kind. 



The manoeuvres of the average specimen when feeding in 

 captivity, are interesting. They illustrate how nervous is this 



45 



