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Diamond-back Rattlesnake — Part 2
Pine swamps and hummock lands are the abodes of the Diamond Rattler. In the South Carolina lowgrounds we found that these reptiles displayed the habit of hiding under the broad leaves of the dwarf palmettos during the day, and issuing for their food at twilight. So closely do the body-colours blend with the vegetation and the effect of sunlight and shadow, that the coiled snake is seen with difficulty. The writer was shown the large, hollow stump of a tree on the edge of a pine swamp, in South Carolina. From this hiding place a big Rattlesnake had several times been seen to emerge and glide into the growth of the swamp. Rabbits were common in the vicinity and these animals appear to form a large percentage of the snakes' food. While some weeks were spent collecting in this vicinity, but two rattlesnakes were taken, although their tracks across the sandy roads were frequently seen, and always demonstrating their prowlings to be at night.
When progressing in leisurely fashion, this species adopts tactics characteristic of the thick-bodied poisonous snakes generally--slow progress in a perfectly straight line, with head slightly upraised. Thus the flattened trails of the big Diamond-backs across the dry, sandy roads, as they crossed from swamp to swamp were as straight as the course of a wheel. Aside from the trails, other traces of this dreaded snake were several times evident, in the loss of several fine dogs, which, making their way under the floors of the numerous deserted cabins in the neighbourhood, had been bitten and staggered into camp in a dying condition.
As a captive, the Diamond-back differs from most snakes in the display of a persistently sullen disposition. Few specimens become enough accustomed to captivity to refrain from using their rattles vigorously upon the slightest disturbance. While Rattlesnakes of other species may lie silently all about them and yet be fresher captive than themselves, the rattles of the Diamond-backs are seldom quiet if an observer be near. It is not necessary for these snakes to see a human form to display annoyance. So sensitive are they to vibration that a foot-fall starts their rattles which continue buzzing for some time, then gradually settle to a monotonous chick-chick--chick-chick--chick-chick--chick--chick--chick--and cease to sound. Morose and hostile lie these sullen coils, for month after month, never taming, but always ready to fight and sound the tireless rattles.
Taking thus unkindly to captivity, the Diamond-back is indifferent in its feeding habits. Some specimens absolutely refuse to partake of food at all and gradually starve themselves to death, while others feed so sparingly that they ultimately meet the same fate. A large specimen in the writer's collection fasted for thirteen months, or rather would have done so if it had not been fed by pushing food down its throat--though this was done but three times during that lengthy period. After the expiration of the time mentioned, this snake began to feed of its own accord--taking half-grown rabbits--and thrived for several years. A Rattlesnake that feeds regularly, is rarely one that uses its rattle to any extent.
The favourite food of the Diamond-back Rattlesnake is the common wild rabbit, or "cotton-tail"; in captivity ordinary domesticated rabbits may be substituted. These snakes will occasionally take guinea pigs and sometimes rats, but the writer has never succeeded in inducing them to feed upon feathered prey of any kind.
The manoeuvres of the average specimen when feeding in captivity, are interesting. They illustrate how nervous is this snake when removed from its natural surroundings. A medium-sized rabbit is placed in the cage and the snake at once shifts its coils to a striking posture. The rabbit betrays no signs of fear and may hop toward the reptile which warily draws back its head. While nosing about, the rabbit momentarily presents its side to the snake and like a flash of light the deed is done. The human eye can observe but two things. First--the snake appeared to strike for the rabbit and secondly--to have barely touched it with its jaws; but during that blurred movement, several things have happened, thus: The snake struck for the rabbit with opening jaws; when its head reached the prey its jaws were very wide apart and the fangs raised to such an extent that they were cast directly forward; the fangs pierced the rabbit; the jaws were closed sufficiently to deeply imbed the fangs; a muscle over each poison gland was contracted and a considerable quantity of venom was injected. Some of these movements were simultaneous. But the effect upon the rabbit must be noted. The snake is back in the original position before the rabbit's frightened squeal is over. The little creature bounds forward, rolls on its side, kicks convulsively, and is dead. Barely one minute passes from the time of the serpent's stroke to the termination of the death struggle. Possibly some reader may think this is a cruel performance. If so that reader debates a provision of Nature that none among us should be bold enough to criticise. And just a word about this so-called "cruelty" as compared with the habits of those who have criticised the feeding of reptiles.