252 SNAKES, TURTLES, LIZARDS, CROCODILES 



is almost sure death, and thousands of the natives die 

 from it yearly. The poison instantly affects the whole 

 system and causes great pain. 



Copperhead. — This is a common poisonous snake of the 

 United States. It is found from New England to Florida, 

 east of the Mississippi, principally in mountainous dis- 

 tricts. The head of this snake is copper colored, hence 

 the name. Its venom is second in virulence to that of 

 the rattlesnake. In the different localities of its range, 

 the copperhead is known as the deaf adder, pilot snake, and 

 upland "moccasin" (Fig. 173). 



Water moccasin. — The water moccasin stands next to 

 the copperhead among the poisonous snakes of the United 

 States. It is greenish brown in color with no conspicuous 

 markings and attains a length of four or five feet. Its 

 body is large and thick and its tail is blunt. Its venom is 

 decidedly virulent. It is found from North Carolina to 

 Texas. It is aquatic and lives largely on fishes, tadpoles, 

 frogs, etc. 



The rattlesnake. — Although there are several species of 

 rattlesnakes, the common one (Fig. 174) found from the 

 Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains will serve as an 

 example. Briefly, the rattle consists of several flattened, 

 horny rings at the end of the body, which are fastened 

 so loosely together that they may be rattled by move- 

 ments of the tail. The number of rattles do not ac- 

 curately indicate the age of the snake, as some may be lost 

 and several added during one season. The venom is a 

 straw-colored liquid secreted by two glands situated under 

 the skin on the upper jaw. These glands connect with the 

 long, slender fangs which are hollow. When the mouth is 

 closed, the fangs lie flat against the roof of the mouth ; but 



