206 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



THE WATER SNAKE 

 Teacher's Story 



rVERY boy that goes fishing, knows the snake found com- 

 monl}'' about mill-dams and wharves or on rocks and 

 bushes near the water. The teacher will have accomplished 

 a great work, if these boys are made to realize that this 

 snake is a more interesting creature for study, than as an 

 object to pelt with stones. 



The water snake is a dingy brown in color, with cross- 

 bands of brownish or reddish brown which spread out into blotches at 

 the side. Its color is very protective as it lies on stones or logs in its 

 favorite attitude of sunning itself. It is very local in its habits, and 

 generally has a favorite place for basking and returns to it year after 

 year on sunny days. 



This snake lives mostly upon frogs and salamanders and fish ; however, 

 it preys usually upon fish of small value, so it is of little economic import- 

 ance. It catches its victims by chasing, and seizing them in its jaws. 

 It has a very keen sense of smell and probably traces its prey in this 

 manner, something as a hound follows a fox. It is an expert swimmer, 

 usually lifting the head a few inches above the water when swimming, 

 although it is able to dive and remain below the water for a short time. 

 The water snake is a bluffer, and, when cornered, it flattens itself and 

 strikes fiercely. But its teeth contain no poison and it can inflict only 

 slight and harmless wounds. When acting as if it would "rather fight than 

 eat," if given a slight chance to escape, it will flee to the water like a 

 "streak of greased lightning," as any boy will assure you. 



The water stiake. 



