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THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



The youn<^ are produced during the latter part of August to 

 the numl)er of ab(3ut a dozen. They grow rapidly and acquire, 

 on an average, three joints of the rattle every year; the young 

 snakes are born with a single " button " on the tail. The average 

 length of a mature snake of this species is from three and a half 

 to four feet. 



FIG. 18. BANDED RATTLESNAKE 



Subsisting upon larger prey, such as squirrels, rats, voung 

 rabbits and birds, the Rattlesnake is a bolder reptile than the 

 Copperhead. Provided with proportionately longer fangs and 

 a more virulent poison, the bite of this species is more dangerous 

 than the former. It generally frequents rocky localities and has 

 a wide range of distribution. 



Range: Massachusetts to northern Florida, and westward 

 to Texas. 



Local distribution: Within fifty miles of New York City, the 

 Rattlesnake is now very scarce. Occasional specimens are re- 

 ported from Putnam County. 



