REPTILIA 159 



very sharp scalpel. Heavy leggins will, of course, greatly diminish 

 the danger of being bitten. 



The Water Moccasin or "Cotton-mouth" Ancistrodon piscivorus, 

 Fig. 104. Since this reptile is confined to the South Atlantic and Gulf 

 States and the lower Mississippi valley it is of no direct interest to a 

 large portion of the country. It is a thick-bodied snake that may reach 

 a length of 4 or 5 feet. The characteristic markings seen in young 

 animals may disappear with age, so that it may not be easy, at first, to 

 recognize this species; but if the pit and elliptical pupil be there, beware! 

 In its native haunts this snake is active and rather aggressive, and is 

 very justly dreaded, as the bite of a large cotton-mouth may prove 

 fatal. It is usually found in swamps and along sluggish streams, hang- 

 ing on bushes or lying on half sunken logs. Its popular name is 

 doubtless derived from the white mouth-parts exhibited by the snake 

 as it opens its mouth before striking. 



There are several water snakes that are popularly called " moccasins' ' 

 and are commonly supposed to be venomous, but they are quite harm- 

 less, in spite of their willingness to bite; they, of course, do not possess 

 the pit nor the elliptical pupil, nor do they reach the large dimensions 

 of the cotton-mouth. The writer has been bitten by these so-called 

 " moccasins " without the slightest ill effects. Because of the character 

 of its habitat there are probably few serious accidents caused by the 

 "cotton-mouth" but it would be well for those living within its range 

 to become familiar with its appearance. 



The Copperhead Snake, Highland Moccasin, etc., Ancistrodon 

 contortrix, Fig. 105. This snake, which is pretty generally distributed 

 over the eastern and southern part of the United States, is, as the name 

 shows, a close relative of the preceding. It is somewhat variable, but 

 usually shows more distinct markings than the moccasin chestnut 

 bands across a lighter ground color. The name comes from the distinct 

 coppery color of the top of the head. It is not so large a snake as the 

 preceding, seldom, if ever, reaching a length of 4 feet; most of the 

 specimens seen by the author have been under 3 feet. It inhabits 

 dry, rocky regions, rather than swamps, hence one of its popular names 

 " Highland Moccasin. " It is also frequently found in cultivated fields. 

 There are several perfectly harmless snakes, to be noted below, that are 

 frequently mistaken for the copperhead, but the pit and elliptical pupil 

 will distinguish the latter. 



