42 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



belief, which is also widespread, is that snakes and lizards are "slimy," 

 which is exactly contrary to the fact. 



Some of our Colorado amphibians are supplied with secretions 

 which are poisonous when taken internally, which accounts for the 

 fact that dogs, etc., will not usually molest toads. Their "bite," 

 however, need not be feared. 



In this region the bites of most reptiles and all amphibians are 

 practically harmless. The spotted salamander, so much dreaded by 

 most people, is not poisonous. None of our Colorado lizards are 

 poisonous. Only one type of snake thus far found in the state is 

 dangerous — the rattlesnake. It is true, some species can inflict a 

 slight wound, which may become infected and thus cause trouble 

 which would naturally, though erroneously, be attributed to snake 

 poison. A scratch or bruise of any kind may become infected. The 

 hog-nosed snake has a very bad reputation in eastern Colorado, but 

 is in fact quite harmless, and students of snakes have no hesitation 

 about handling it, despite the stories told of its venomous character. 

 Considerable of the misconception concerning the dangerous character 

 of various species is likely due to misidentifkation of species. Thus 

 in some instances the hog-nosed snake and the copperhead have been 

 confused, and the bullsnake, rattlesnake and hog-nosed snake are 

 easily confused by persons who are not very familiar with them, or 

 not close observers, or who get excited when they encounter a snake. 

 Of course, in view of all the facts, it is as well for the layman, unless 

 he knows the species, to avoid handling snakes, or at least to avoid 

 their bites. 



The danger of being bitten by even the venomous species is com- 

 paratively slight. It is said that in 1872 one western expedition 

 killed not less than 2,000 prairie rattlesnakes, and not a man or animal 

 was bitten. 1 



The venom of snakes is in a measure proportioned to the size of 

 the reptile. Hence our small Colorado species are by no means so 

 dangerous as the large species of the South. Still, our Colorado 

 rattlesnake is to be reckoned as a dangerous species, especially to 



■ Stejneger, Leonhard, "Poisonous Snakes ot North America," Ann. Repl. U.S. Nat. Mus. for 1893, 



