HOG-NOSED SNAKE 



93 



England states as far up as Connecticut, and also in the 

 southeastern states and the Mississippi Valley is found a sub- 

 species called Natrix fasciata sipedon. 



THE HOG-NOSED SNAKE 1 is a serpent of many names and 

 remarkable habits. It is often called the BLOWING " VIPER," 

 SPREADING "ADDER," and other combinations of " Viper" 

 and "Adder," all erroneous. This is the snake that is such 



a bold bluffer, and 



often saves its life by 

 pretending to be very 

 fierce and dangerous. 

 Instead of fleeing from 

 an intruder, this crea- 

 ture comes straight 

 forward, with savage 

 determination, hissing 

 and darting out its 

 tongue, and pretend- 

 ing to be a serious proposition. It looks as ugly and deadly 

 as any real viper. It inflates the skin of its neck with air, 

 and hisses until it can be heard 25 feet. 



In spite of all this bluffing, however, the Hog-Nosed Snake 

 is really a harmless creature. It strikes viciously, but always 

 with its mouth closed! Mr. Ditmars says it is almost im- 

 possible to induce one of these snakes to bite. When greatly 

 annoyed, or tickled on the back, it will turn over on its back, 

 open its mouth, allow its tongue to hang out, and permit the 

 experimenter to hang it over a stick, as if dead. If thrown 



1 He-ter 'o-don plat-y-rhi'nus* 



m 



HOG-NOSED SNAKE. 



