The Elapine Poisonous Snakes 



attain a fair size. Elaps marcgravii, E. corallinus and E. surin- 

 amensis attain a length of four and five feet and their bites, with 

 man, are usually followed by speedy death. The various species 

 display subterraneous habits, for which they are structurally 

 well-fitted, owing to their cylindrical form, but are frequently 

 found wandering above ground. All of the species are cannibal- 

 istic, feeding upon the smaller species of harmless snakes and 

 upon lizards. 



Before entering upon descriptions of the North American 

 species, the student should understand that there are several 

 innocuous serpents in our Southern States that closely "mimic" 

 the Coral Snakes in colouration, form and size. Moreover, these 

 reptiles are to be found in much the same situations as the poison- 

 ous species. Their pattern is a brilliant combination of red, 

 yellow and black rings, or ring-like blotches. They are frequently 

 mistaken for Coral Snakes and as such are slain. But it is inter- 

 esting and rather startling to explain that the venomous reptiles 

 are as often mistaken for the harmless ones, and carelessly handled. 



Among the harmless snakes that are apt to confuse the 

 student, are the following species : 



LeConte's Snake, Rbinocbilus lecontei. ""I Southwestern 



Arizona King Snake, Ophibolus ^onatus. U. S. 



Western Milk Snake, doliatus gentilus. J 



Milk Snake, "] Southeastern 



Dwarf King Snake, " coccineus. > U. S. 



Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea. J 



All of the species quoted have much the same colours as 

 the North American Coral Snakes, either in rings, completely 

 encircling the body, or in a semi-ringed fashion above. Yet the 

 disposition of these rings is different from that of Elaps and, once 

 understood, will greatly aid the student in immediately distin- 

 guishing the dangerous from the harmless reptiles. 



With the species of Elaps, the black rings are bordered on 

 each side by the yellow ones. With the harmless snakes, the 

 yellow rings are bordered on each side by the black. 



Another important point to remember is that with the Coral 

 Snakes the "bands of colour completely encircle the body. With 

 several of the non-venomous imitators mentioned, the similarity 

 to Elaps, from above, is very striking, but the abdomen is either 

 uniform white or is blotched. 



395 



