'I'o'l SNAKES, JTliTLES, LIZAKUS, CliOCODILES 



is almost surf deiilli, and tliousands of the natives die 

 from it yearly. Tlie ])()is(iii instantly affects the whole 

 system arul causes yicat pain. 



Copperhead. — This is a common poisonous snake of the 

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

 east of the Mississipjii, ])iincipally in mountainous dis- 

 tricts. Tlie head of this snake is cojjpci' colored, hence 

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

 the rattlesnake. In the different localities of its range, 

 the copiierhead is kno\\n as tlie deaf adder, pilot snake, and 

 upland "moccasm" (Fig. ]73). 



Water moccasin, — The watei' moccasin stands next to 

 the copperhead among the p(jisonous snakes of the United 

 States. It is greenish hi-own in color \\\{\\ no conspicuous 

 markings and attains a length of fo;u- or five feet. Its 

 body is large and thick and its tail is ])lunt. Its venom is 

 decidedly virulent. It is found from North Carolina to 

 Texas. It is aquatic and lives lai-gely on fishes, tadpoles, 

 frogs, etc. 



The rattlesnake. — Although there are several species of 

 rattlesnakes, tlie comuKjn one (Fig. 174) found from the 

 Atlantic coast to tlie Rocky Mountains vAW serve as an 

 example. Biieflj^ the rattle consists of several flattened, 

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

 so loosely together that tliey may be rattled by move- 

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

 curately indicate the age of llie snake, as some maybe lost 

 and several added durhig one season. The venom is a 

 straw-colored li(|uid scci-eteil liy two glands situated under 

 the skin on IIk^ u])])er jaw. Tliese glands connect with the 

 long, slender fangs whicli are hollow, ^^'llen the mouth is 

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



