The coral, or harlequin, snakes (Micrurus and Micruroides) are members 
of the cobra family (Hlapidae) that have become adapted to a subterranean 
existence, and occur from North Carolina and Arizona to South America. 
They have solid, rigid fangs with a’ groove on the front surface and are 
frequently conned with the nonvenomous scarlet snake (Gemophora. coccinea) 
.and scarlet king snake (Lampropeltis élapsoides). The former differs from 
the coral snake (and also from the scarlet king snake which it resembles 
very closely) in having the ventral surface yellowish white; the scarlet 
king snake differs from the coral in having the black cross “bands less 
than half the width of the crimson, 
The Crotalidae, or "pit vipers", have -hollow fangs that fold back 
against the roof of the mouth when-the jaws are closed. They occur through- 
out Temperate and Tropical America and include @ number of venomous SPEC Eee 
that are familiarly known by the following names: Rattlesnakes (Cre 
massasauga (Sistrurus), cotton-mouth water moccasin (Agkistredon pissvor : 
and copperhead (Agkistrodon mokasen). Nq true vipers are found on the Ameri— 
can continents. The well—knovm rattlesnakes, of which there are a number of 
species, are the most specialized of all the venomous snekes, The rattle— 
snake race has been extraordinarily adapteble, as its members have come\to 
occupy. the most diverse conditions of environment, including extremes both 
of humidity and aridity. 

‘The eoeencastcen diamondback rat PSU: ‘(Grogan adamanteus) is 
also known.as the water rattler because it is partial to the neighborhood 
of. water and is a good swimmer: et ule as speckled rattler (Cvotalus 
mitchellii), for example, live in.typ » The prairie ‘rettler 
(Crovaius v. viridis s} occurs over the cen woes eae Great Plains, 
while a eters form, the banded rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), is limited 
to the timbered areas cf the eastern parts of the United States. It is cer— 
tain that rattlesnakes do not habituelly climb trees, because they wanes poariiy 
adapted to such an accomplishment, yet there is unquestionable proof that 
they do so occasionally, It requires but little more climbing ability to 
scale a4 rough-barked slanting tree than the face of a rocky ledge. 


The pigmy rattler and massasauga (Sistrurus) are diminutive forms of 
rattlesnakes Se the largest attairing a length of nearly three feet 
and a thickness of less than one inch; their range is chiefly east of the 
g 
Rocky Mountains, eheone for Arizona, and tney are cheracteristically forms 
of the prairies and their swamps and marshes ieee diamondback rattlers 
(Grotelus Ss adamantcus and C. atrox) are undu onably the most excitable 
and nd dangerous of all North American pit vipers. Tne red rattler — 
ruber) is said to be the most sluggish. The cotton-mouth water moccasir 
frequents the lowlands along the southern rivers and the adjoining swamps 
into which the rivers overflow during high water; when surprised it throws 
ats head back and opens its mouth, disclosing the white lining, In the 
Northern States the copperhead is partial “to rocky places in the vicinity 
timber, marshes, or abandoned stone quarries; in the South it frequents 
higher and drier ground than around the marshes; unless cornered, this snake 
usually attempts to escape unseen. Nevertheless, the copperhead is a rather 
dangerous snake, giving no warning of its presence, and striking in any di- 
rection. 
a “ 


