Common Snakes 



E. B. Whiting 

 Branford, Ct. 



During my walks in early spring when dry leaves are on the 

 ground I have always taken an interest in snakes such as one meets 

 in or near the woods. At this time of the year when the trees are 

 bare and there come some really warm sunny days, snakes crawl 

 out of their winter hiding places and sun themselves to drive off 

 winter chills. They probably feel somewhat helpless at this 

 time because there is little stubble or grass to make rapid gliding 

 possible. Later in the season when the grass has begun to grow, 

 they can move more rapidly and are better concealed from observa- 

 tion. It is then that the slower moving venomous snakes are more 

 likely to be noticed. 



There is one feature in the behavior of black snakes which some 

 one has mentioned, but probably few have noticed. A black 

 snake when it considers itself disturbed, will sometimes strike the 

 crisp dry leaves on the ground with the tip of its tail, and make 

 a rattling noise as if it tried to be a rattlesnake ; yet it is plainly a 

 common black snake, and entirely devoid of rattles. 



Sometimes, if one catches up with a crawling black snake and 

 strikes it with a switch, the sting of the switch will cause it to stop, 

 and give one a chance to view it at close quarters. It can then be 

 allowed to go on its way, or if we wish to capture the snake, we hold 

 its head down with a stick while we grasp it close below the head 

 to prevent its turning, and with the other hand we take the 

 precaution to keep its body straight to prevent squirming. When 

 a black snake is chased through bushes and low trees it will some- 

 times start up a small tree and circle about to face us a few feet 

 above the ground, and wait to observe our further motions. 

 While the snake is in this position a stick can be cut and a noosed 

 string attached, and the snake will keep still as the stick and noose 

 are thrust forward. During this noosing process our snake keeps 

 a stiff neck, and it can then be pulled out of the tree. We will now 

 have a problem to keep our catch from strangling itself by squirm- 

 ing around and twisting up the string ; and we have to come to the 

 rescue by cutting the string, keeping hold just behind its head, 

 and keeping its body straightened out to prevent having a coil 

 thrown around one's arm as a preliminary to getting away. The 



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