36 VENOMOUS SNAKES AND THE PHENOMENA OF THEIR VENOMS 



2 scales wide. Of these, sometimes two contiguous to each other form a space 

 darker than the ground-color. Sometimes corresponding bars, from opposite sides, 

 unite and form a ring encircling the body. Sometimes there is a lighter shade bor- 

 dering the dark bars. Beneath, black, blotched with yellowish-white. No loreal 

 plate. The water-moccasin is a water -snake and is found about damp, swampy 

 places or in water, but never far from it. In summer, numbers of these snakes are 

 seen resting on the low branches of such trees as overhang the water, and they 

 plunge into the water at the slightest alarm. They are also found in the ditches 

 of rice fields, especially on the dry bank, where they bask in the sun. It is said 

 that the water-moccasin attacks everything that comes within his reach, erecting 

 his head and opening his mouth for some seconds before he bites, which habits are 

 not observed with other pit-vipers. This snake is very much dreaded, although 

 records of fatal issues are not numerous. Unlike the other pit-vipers the water- 

 moccasin is easily kept in captivity, as it takes food in the cage. Effelds once had 

 a pair so tame as to take fish, cold or warm-blooded animals, or even raw meat, 

 from the forceps in the hand of the keeper. It is said that the bite of the water- 

 moccasin, curiously enough, is more dangerous to other venomous snakes than to 

 itself, and that this snake is very fierce towards other snakes. Length 4 to 5 feet. 

 Eastern states of North America, including North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, 

 and Texas. 



Ancistrodon contortrix. (Plate 15, c; plate 16, B.) 



The "copperhead" is more slender than the water-moccasin. A distinct loreal 

 plate is present. Above light hazel-brown, rather brighter on top of head, and 

 everywhere minutely marked with fine dark points. On each side is a series of 

 15 to 26 darker chestnut-colored blotches resting on the abdominal scutellae, and 

 suddenly contracting about the middle of the side so as somewhat to resemble an 

 inverted Y. These blotches extend to the vertebral line, where they may be trun- 

 cated or end in a rounded apex. Generally those of the opposite sides alternate 

 with each other, but frequently they are confluent and form continuous bands. 

 Color beneath dull yellowish, with a series of distinct large, dark blotches, 35 to 45 

 in number, on each side; chin and throat unspotted; side of head cream color; 

 labials yellowish-white. Length about 3 feet. 



The copperhead is called "upland moccasin," "chunk head," "pilot snake," 

 or "deaf adder," according to different localities, and is much dreaded on account 

 of the absence of warning before the bite and of its aggressive nature. However, 

 only very few cases of fatal poisoning have been recorded. These snakes are easily 

 kept and fed in captivity. Like all Crotaline snakes the copperhead produces 

 living young, 7 or 9 in number. 



North America. From central Massachusetts to Texas, and from Florida to 

 Kansas, including Illinois, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi. Michigan, Wis- 

 consin, and Nebraska are said not to be inhabited by this species. 



Ancistrodon bilineatus. 



Snout pointed; scales less carinated. Subcaudals single in front, divided in 

 posterior. This "Mexican moccasin" has a general coloration similar to but deeper 

 than that of the other two species, of which the copperhead is the fairest and most 

 vivid. Length about 3 feet. Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. 



Ancistrodon halys. 



Snout somewhat upwardly turned, with a rounded end. Coloration yellowish- 

 gray, red, or pale brown above, with dark crossbars; belly whitish, more or less 

 marked with gray or brown. Length 1.5 feet. Border of Caspian Sea, Ural moun- 

 tains, and Yenisei Highland, Turkestan. 



