Harlequin Snake

Elaps fulvius (Linn.)

Colouration.—The pattern consists of broad rings of deep scarlet and blue-black, separated by narrow rings of yellow. The snout is black and a wide band of yellow crosses the middle of the head; behind this is the first black ring of the body pattern.

Dimensions.—The largest specimen examined, from the United States, was 37 inches in length. This is considerably above the average for specimens north of Mexico. The measurements of an average-sized adult from Gainesville, Florida, are given:

Distribution.—The species ranges from northern North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico, westward through Texas, thence southward into Central America. It has extended its distribution up the Mississippi Valley as far north as southern Ohio, where occasional specimens are found.

It is owing to the striking colouration that the name of Harlequin Snake has been given to this species, which is rather slender and seldom attains a length of more than a yard. The head is flat, very blunt, and not distinct from the neck.

The red and the black rings of the body are from seven to twelve scales wide; the yellow rings exhibit a width of from one to two scales. On the back the red rings usually contain spots and patches of black; beneath, they are generally uniform red with the exception of a large blotch of black in the centre of the abdomen.

The tail contains none of the red rings, being black with broad rings of yellow.

Variations.--In the United States this species is fairly constant in pattern, although with some specimens the crimson rings are so suffused with spots and blotches of black as to impart a decidedly dull appearance in comparison with individuals on which the red is vividly apparent.

Mexican specimens display marked variations of pattern. The black rings are rather narrow and the red rings very wide--from two to three times the width of the black rings. With such specimens the yellow rings are merely represented by a tinge of that colour upon the tips of single scales bordering the black areas. It is quite possible that a large series of Mexican specimens would prove these reptiles to be worthy of a distinct, varietal name. An illustration is presented of a typical specimen from Marion County, Florida.

Colours of Young Specimens.--The pattern of the young is precisely like that of the parent, though the colours are paler. The red rings are represented by a pale brick colour. (Illustrated.)

Total Length . . . . . 28 1/2 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 2 1/2 inches.

Greatest Diameter . . . . . 1/2 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 7/16 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 3/4 inches.

A freshly hatched specimen measured 7 3/4 inches in length and one-eighth of an inch in diameter at the thickest part of the body.

Habits of the Coral Snake

Much has been written about the alleged inoffensive habits of this snake. By some writers it is described as mildly poisonous, and quoting Prof. E. D. Cope, "innocuous to man and the larger animals," which information is intended to convey the impression that the Coral Snake is too small to be deadly to anything but the small creatures that constitute its food.

Slender and brightly coloured, with a small, harmless appearing head, this pretty creature is known to possess poisonous fangs, but from a theoretical standpoint the assumption is that a snake of such graceful appearance, with all the characteristic stamp of a venomous snake removed, is, if poisonous at all, very mildly so. This is the argument, and the writer has many times observed these attractively coloured reptiles handled in the most careless manner, and has been scoffed at for interfering for the good of the careless individual who would not believe.

The Coral Snake belongs to a sub-family that contains some of the most deadly known species of snakes. Among its near allies are the Cobra-de-capello, the Krait and the Australian Tiger Snake. All the snakes of this sub-family are noted for their resemblance to the harmless snakes, and though possessing very small poison fangs are provided with a venom that is more deadly in effect than that of the thick-bodied vipers.

It is owing to the fact of the Coral Snake possessing very short fangs that some scientists, who have made detailed examinations of alcoholic specimens, have pronounced their verdict--"poisonous, but very slightly so." It might be well for these writers to appreciate that the fangs of the Coral Snake are slightly larger in proportion to the reptile's size than those of the acknowledged deadly Cobra, and that the former reptile secretes a venom more powerful than that of the rattlesnake.