Banded or Timber Rattlesnake — Part 2

Crotalus horridus, (Linn.)

These places are the so-called "rattlesnake dens." During the summer but occasional snakes are observed in the vicinity. The accompanying photographs indicate the character of a "den." (Illus. Rock Cabin Ledge.) The snakes hibernate in the fissures leading back from the cavern, which faces the south while upon the top of the ledge, the writer has obtained a number of specimens each summer.

Though after the spring the snakes leave the hibernating ledge--generally so situated as to be exposed to the sun for the greater part of the day--they display a marked persistency in following the ledge into the timber where they frequent outcroppings of the same vein of rock, or adjacent and smaller ledges that are surrounded by ground where the hunting is good. These veins of rock traversing the mountains of New York, Pennsylvania and many of the Eastern States are generally associated with the presence of rattlesnakes which are but rarely found any distance from them. This may be explained by the existence of many fissures and hiding places on the ledges. From the presence of numerous shed skins it appears that various snakes have favourite places of concealment, and from these they do not wander far during the course of the summer.

Of the various rattlesnakes inhabiting the United States, this is the most mild-tempered species. It becomes so docile in captivity that the majority of specimens may be actually handled with the same freedom as a harmless snake without showing signs of irritation--a trait particularly characteristic of male specimens. While this has frequently been done by reckless persons, the writer begs to explain that he is not advising the student to try the dangerous experiment. The fact should always be in mind, in studying poisonous snakes, that no matter how gentle may be the demeanour of the serpent, it is provided with fangs, and can produce a deadly wound in lightning-like fashion, and moreover, though a venomous snake be extremely good-natured, there lurks within its brain a nervous and instinctive tendency to instantly employ the fangs if the movements of a nearby object appear suspicious or threaten danger. And it takes but little to provoke a poisonous snake. A quick movement, a slightly increasing pressure of the fingers to restrain a movement on the reptile's part--and the fangs have done their work. It is almost involuntary for the more irritable of the venomous snakes to instantly turn and bite at an object that presses against their bodies. This tendency may be noted in a snake freshly killed, and decapitated. Upon pinching the reptile's side the headless neck will fly around to the spot in a manner thoroughly startling to the individual accidentally figuring in such a demonstration. At the same time, the severed head is very dangerous for if the neck is grasped carelessly an inch or so behind the head, the latter will instantly turn and bite in the same fashion as if attached to the living snake. The writer has witnessed some narrow escapes from injury, by persons who were not acquainted with the tenacity of life, exhibited in the muscles of snakes that had been harshly belaboured with an axe or club.

A gentleman with whom the writer is acquainted, is unfortunately "gifted" with considerable recklessness in handling poisonous serpents. The former had a number of rattlesnakes in his collection which he handled with the greatest indifference, permitting the reptiles to crawl through his fingers and over his arms like ordinary harmless snakes. They were in his possession for several months, and during that time no accident resulted from his careless exhibitions of the creatures to his friends. One day he discovered that the largest of the snakes was the mother of nine little ones. In the haste to open the case to examine the youngsters he so disturbed the female that she coiled and rattled vigorously. With his usual display of recklessness he removed all of the baby rattlers, that were gliding over and around the parent, and without accident. After such blind daring without bad results, it is interesting to explain that this careless herpetologist soon received his lesson. Placing the young reptiles on a table to watch their movements, he was embarrassed by their inclination to glide in all directions. In preventing one of the babies from dropping over the edge of the table, the man was bitten. Although the snake was but a few hours old, its tiny fangs produced an injury that served as a practical and painful demonstration of the effects of rattlesnake poison.

In a wild state, the Banded Rattlesnake prefers flight to combat and, though rattling harshly when disturbed, will generally glide away, sounding its warning note as it goes, in graceful, though not rapid undulations, heading toward crevices in the rock or the undergrowth where it at once seeks concealment. If cornered it will fight bravely, assuming a loose and irregular coil, and striking with such dexterity that the eye can scarcely follow the movement. It strikes generally a third, sometimes half its length, but never springs bodily as alleged by the writers of sensational snake stories. Nor is it necessary for the snake to be coiled to deal a blow. While retreating toward shelter it will often turn and from a crawling position draw back the head by contracting the neck into an S-shaped loop, and strike readily.