R-USN 



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3-1 '+-30 



take up the few poj st nous snakes, and if po -?ible get rid of than — fcr they are 

 an actual as well a'' a mental hazard in these da^/s of hiking, camping, and auto 

 Tiicnicking. 



Harlequin snakes are poisonous. They often resemble scarlet kingsnakes, 

 and are found from South Carolina arro?s to Arizona and routhward to South 

 America. Learn to di?tin.uigh Vetwoen these two snakes and kill o.ily the harle- 

 quin; keep ?nd protect the kingsnake. 



Pit-vipers occur throughout temperate and tropical AraorJ-ca. To this class 

 of poisonous snakes belong rattlesnakes, cotton-mouth water moccasins, ^^nd copper 

 heads. 



Of course, you must know that there are many different kinds of rattle- 

 snakes. The diaj-aond-back rattler of the South is anong the most excitable and 

 most vicious of all the North Amer.ican pit-vipers. Steer clear of rattlesnakes.' 

 Don't take chances around rocky cliffs, or -olaces where these snake? stay. 

 Rattlesnakes are not ^iven to tree cli.v.bing, but they do often stay ""n swamps. 



The cotton-mouth water moccas.in of the South is vicious, irritable, and 

 pugnacious. This snake is next to tVe r^ost poisonous snake in our country. The 

 diamond-back rattler takes fir?t place because of its size. Steer cle^r of 

 these snakes. They may bite immediately when disturbed, and have been known 

 even to at lack and bite without provocation. 



The copperhead jS a very poisonous sna3:e, and frequents rocky plp.ces in 

 certain parts of our northwestern States in the vicinity of timber, marshes, and 

 abandoned stone quarries. It is also found m the South on high, dry ground. 

 This snake usually atcer.;pts to es-c^.pe, but is very dangerous v,-hen cornered. It 

 is vicious, gives no warning of its presence as does the rattlesnake, and can 

 strike in any direction instantly. 



Ordinarily a snake can strike about three- fourths of its length, so keep 

 your distance around one that is poisonous. If bitten by one, bleed the wound, 

 if possible TDut a ligpture between it and the heart, and get to a doctor in the 

 shortest r)OSPible time. Antivenin is tYit name of the serum that xs the most 

 successful mean? of combating the poi son of a snake bite. 



I got most of the inform=ition I have given you from the United States 

 Biological Survey, ?nd this bureau has a world of valuable information that ever; 

 farmer ought to have so that he can kn.w the difference between poisonous and no. 

 poisonous sn-^kes, and know the actual usefulness of some snakes. I have Just 

 touched a fe.y of the high points in the literature this bureau jyave me, and I'm 

 going to suggest that you write i mediately to the United States Bureau of Biolo, 

 ical Survey, Washington, D. C. , and ask them to send you the two free leaflets 

 on snakes. Here they are: "FACTS AijOUI SN.\KES," and "FGISCNOUS SlIAXES OF THE 

 UUITJiD ST VIES." 



I have enjoyed talking to you radio oeople about both the bad and the 

 good snakes, and I sincerely hope that none of you have snake dreams tonight. 

 Good bye now for two weeks, and then I'll reaapear w? th some more information 

 from Uncle Sam's Naturalists. 



— ooOoo — 



