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THE COPPER-HEAD SNAKE. 
The name of Water Viper (. Ancistrodon piscivorum ) is appropriately given to the 
creature now before us, in consequence of its water-loving habits. 
It is a native of many parts of America, and is never seen at any great distance from 
water, being found plentifully in the neighborhood of rivers, marshes, and in swampy lands. 
It is a good climber of trees, and may be seen entwined in great numbers on the branches that 
overhang the water. On the least alarm, the reptile glides from the branch, drops into the 
water, and wriggles its way into a place of safety. The object of climbing the trees seems to 
be that the creature delights to bask in the sun, and takes that method of gratifying its 
inclination where the whole of the soil is wet and marshy. But in those localities where it 
can find dry banks and rising grounds, the Water Viper contents itself with ascending them 
and lying upon the dry surface enjoying the genial warmth. 
It is a most poisonous reptile, and is even more dreaded by the negroes than the rattle- 
snake, as, like the fer-de-lance, it will make the first attack, erecting itself boldly, opening 
its mouth for a second or two, and then darting forward with a rapid spring. At all 
times it seems to be of an aggressive character, and has been known to chase and bite other 
Snakes put into the same cage, the poor creatures fleeing before it and endeavoring to escape 
by clinging to the sides of the cage. But when several other individuals of the same species 
were admitted, the very Snake that had before been so ferocious, became quite calm, and a 
box containing four or five specimens has been sent on a journey of many miles without any 
quarrels ensuing among the inmates. 
The food of the W ater Viper consists of fishes, which it can procure by its great rapidity 
of movement and excellent swimming powers, of reptiles and even of birds. Mr. T. W. Wood 
has favored me with an account of the manner in which a Water Viper devoured the prey 
that was put before it: — 
‘ ‘ A short time ago I had the good fortune to be present when some captured reptiles 
of this species were fed. Some sparrows and titlarks were put into the apartment containing 
several specimens of the Water Viper. The sparrows seemed very much terrified, and soon 
huddled together in a comer, afraid, as I suppose, of the spectators. 
‘ ‘ One of the titlarks, however, bolder than the rest, ran about as if at home. One of the 
Water Vipers perceiving it quiet for a moment, seemed to fix its eye upon the poor little 
creature. The reptile commenced moving towards the bird slowly but surely, their eyes being 
intently fixed upon each other. When the Serpent had approached within about half an 
inch, it opened its mouth and seized The bird by the side, its left wing being grasped in the 
Snake’ s mouth. The ill-fated bird instantly gave two or three convulsive struggles, the head 
then dropped, the eyes closed, and all was over ; a drop of blood oozed slowly out of the 
bird’ s bill. The reptile did not release the bird after it was bitten, but began to swallow it 
almost immediately. 
“ Another titlark was then introduced by the keeper. This bird was, when I approached, 
lying on its side as if dead. Another Water Viper seized its head and commenced swallowing 
it, the bird struggling violently ; at each effort of deglutition the venomous fangs were seen to 
move forward. In this case the poison did not take such rapid effect, as the bird was 
evidently alive when it disappeared down the reptile’s throat.” 
The color of the Water Viper is greenish brown, taking a yellowish tone along the sides, 
and banded with blackish brown. It seldom exceeds two feet in length. This serpent is also 
known by the popular names of Cotton-mouth and Water Moccasin Snake. 
The Copper-head Snake of the same country is closely allied to it. An illustration 
of it is to be found on next page. This is the dreaded Cotton-mouth of the Southern 
negroes. It inhabits rather low ground, and extends along the Catskill range as far as the 
Gulf States. Its color is a hazel-brown, with a light coppery hue upon its head. Its length 
is about two feet. It is justly dreaded as a most vicious and venomous reptile. Though differ- 
ing from the preceding in some respects, particularly in having no rattles, it has poison fangs 
that are quite deadly in application to man or beast. The names Dumb Battle, Bed Adder, 
Bed Viper, Deaf Adder, and Chunk-head, are applied to it in various sections of country. 
