NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. 1<J5 



attempting to grasp it a few inches behind the head, however, it 

 turned and bit viciously. 



The preceding iHustrations indicate the average actions of a 

 large number of Florida specimens that have been examined in 

 the manner named. Some specimens, however, when grasped, 

 have instantly turned and bitten the operator. This tendency 

 has been particularly noticeable in the larger species, Elaps cora'l- 

 liniis and E. marcgrarii of tropical South America. A specimen 

 of the former, 14 inches in length, was very vicious, and would 

 turn and bite upon the least provocation, although it never struck 

 fon^'ard save when grasping its prey. 



Regarding their danger to human life, the Coral Snakes must 

 be placed in rather a different class from the long-fanged ser- 

 pents that strike. A child running about bare-footed would be 

 in danger of receiving a bite from a snake trodden upon ; and 

 woodmen also are in danger, for these snakes often hide under 

 fallen logs. However, the danger from these gaudily colored 

 and easily recognized reptiles, with minute fangs, is but slight as 

 compared with the long, sharp fangs of a rattlesnake, which could 

 easily pierce clothing of ordinary thickness. 



Feeding Habits. — Like many of the Elapine Snakes, and espe- 

 cially those that are addicted to burrowing habits, the Coral 

 Snakes are cannibalistic, feeding almost entirely upon other 

 snakes, and upon lizards. The method of feeding is similar to 

 that of the King Cobra, though these smaller snakes display less 

 ingenuitv in overpowering their prey. It is quickly grasped and 

 worked along in the jaws until the head points down the throat, 

 when swallowing commences. U])on cold-blooded prey the 

 poison is slow in taking effect : and, although the fangs may be 

 observed to be repeatedly and vigorously employed, the subtle 

 fluid appears to aid the snake but little in sul)duing the c|uarry. 

 which generally struggles energetically during the entire swal- 

 lowing process. 



These snakes will consume serpents of surprising dimensions 

 in proportion to their own length and thickness of body. On 

 several occasions the writer has observed the Harlequin Snake 

 {E. fuh'iiis) swallowing snakes that were but a few inches shorter 

 than the feeding reptile, and of greater circumference of body! 

 After completing a meal of such proportions, the gorged snake 

 is rendered so rigid of body that it is unable to coil properly, and 

 the skin is so greatly distended that the scales appear as well- 

 separated rows of dots on the body. 



All of the species evince a liking for lizards, and esix-cially the 



