192 Xl'-W YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



XKW WORr.D Al.rJliS OF THE COBRAS. 



The single ( icnus r.!af>s represents the Suhfaniily Elapiiiac 

 in the \e\v World. .\l)ont 26 species are reco.^-nized Two 

 occnr in the southern I'nited States. The others are (Hs- 

 trilnited throughout Mexico, Central America and tropical South 

 .\nierica. 



After dealing- with the habits of such interesting- and formidable 

 serpents as the Cobras, it is ai)])ro]iriate to record the observations 

 made in the Reptile House ori these Xew World allies. The 

 Coral Snakes are not so highly organized as the Cobras — in fact, 

 thev are rather addicted to a burrowing existence. They are 

 cylindrical in form, with small, blunt heads. They are vividly 

 marked with red. black and yellow, disposed in rings, and are 

 thus easily recognized, although \-ariotis harmless snakes evince 

 striking similarities of pattern. 



Despite certain emphatic assertions to the contrary, the Coral 

 Snakes are highly venomous. In projiortion to the size of the 

 reptiles, their fangs and i)oison are capable of inflicting damage 

 almost on a ])ar with their ( )1<1 World allies, h'ew of the Coral 

 Snakes attain a maximum length of more th;m three and one- 

 half feet. 



Three species of these serpents liave been on exhibition in the 

 Reptile House, namely: the Harlequin Snake (/:/<//' .v fitlziits), 

 of the southeastern United States and Mexico, the Sonoran Coral 

 Snake (E. curyxanthus), and the South American Coral Snake 

 {E. corallinns). Of the first-named .species, several hundred 

 specimens have, from time to time, been under the writer's obser- 

 vation ; and of the second rare species but one specimen was ])r()- 

 cured. The last species noted ranges over an extensive area in 

 tropical South America, and is found in several islands of the 

 Lesser Antilles. Numerous specimens of this snake have been 

 received from the island of Trinidad. 



As the habits of the ditferent species of lilaj^s observt-d were 

 found to be very similar, the writer will ])lace tluin under one 

 general heading. 



Habits. — The snakes of the ( Icmuis Elaps rank rather low in 

 mental powers. Their movements art- erratic. They a])])(.'ar 

 mentally .stupifierl by cai)tivity. Their i)revailing idea is to hide, 

 to avoid the hght and ol)servation. and thi> tluy do if tlure be 

 any facilities for burrowing or coiling beneath some object. 

 Once secreted, all ideas of food and sensations of apjK'tite appear 

 to vanish from the majority of captive si)ecimens. Tlu- ])roper 



