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"moccasin"
Colouration.—Pale brownish or reddish, crossed by wavy, dark brown bands on the forward portion of the body. These bands are much broader on the back, causing the back to appear dull brown, and crossed by narrow lines of pale brown or yellow. Narrowing on the sides, the bands are separated by broad interspaces of the ground-colour, which resemble upright and triangular (usually reddish) bars. On the latter part of the body the bands break into blotches, of which there is a series down the back and another series on the sides, in alternation with those above. It is this breaking up of the bands on the latter portion of the body that gives the reptile its right to a varietal name. Although the strongly banded appearance of the sides imparts a resemblance to the Southern and typical form, this snake always bears a more decidedly brownish aspect. The abdomen is brilliantly spotted with red, and with black as is the former reptile.
Dimensions.—Female specimens attain a large size and may slightly exceed four feet, but such proportions are above the average. The measurements quoted represent the size of the adult specimen as most commonly seen:
Distribution.—From Maine and southern Canada to North Carolina (inclusive), and westward to Kansas and Wisconsin. South of North Carolina its place is taken by the typical form and the Red-bellied Water Snake, already described.
Habits.—Owing to its wide distribution in the North, this reptile has been more generally observed than the parent form which, for a great part of its habitat, frequents the practically inaccessible swamps of the Southern States. The habits of the Northern form are, however, very similar to those of its Southern relative. Throughout the New England and the Middle States it is an abundant and well-known reptile, frequenting the borders of ponds and streams and making for the water upon the slightest alarm. It is often called "water moccasin" and thought to be very poisonous. In fact its sinister aspect when cornered is anything but reassuring, for it will flatten the head and body to a remarkable degree, when it strikes viciously at every moving object within reach. The heavy body and sombre colour of the upper surface inspire the uninitiated with fear and hatred for this perfectly harmless snake.
This is the well-known, dingy brown water snake, energetically stoned by the country boy, as it basks on the branch of a tree, overhanging the water. Its range embraces a greater area than does that of the typical form-covering the Eastern States generally, from southern Canada to North Carolina, and extending westward to Kansas.
Variations.--Very old specimens lose the pattern and become an almost uniform brown. The young snakes are strikingly marked. They are pale gray, with jet black cross-bands; the abdomen is grayish, and the rich, brick-red spots of the adult are represented by spots of black. During the second year they rapidly take on the brown of the parent.
Total Length . . . . . 3 feet, 6 inches.
Length of Tail . . . . . 8 inches.
Diameter of Body . . . . . 1 3/8 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 1 inches.
Length of Head . . . . . 1 5/8 inches.
When provided with an avenue of escape at the approach of man, the water snake is of lightning speed in taking advantage of the opening. My friends of many rambles and snake hunts, Messrs. Adam Dove and Morris Pearsall, relate amusing incidents attending the capture of these reptiles in the lakes of Sullivan County, New York. On one occasion, while fishing for pike, they approached a great mass of derelict timber and on it several large water snakes were sunning. Although the snakes were some twenty feet from where the bow of their boat lightly touched a fallen tree trunk, the vibration was enough to send the reptiles gliding into the water, where they dived at once. Taking three short pieces of fish line, Mr. Dove tied each to branches near the water line, and on the end of each cord securely fastened a small perch, which was dropped into the water, where it hung in plain view. The boat was then rowed some distance away and fishing resumed. About half an hour later, an examination was made of the traps. On each length of string writhed a water snake which had swallowed the perch and fully six inches of the twine. The strings were cut away amid frenzied efforts of the snakes to shake themselves loose, when the reptiles were dropped into a bag and the twine cut close to their mouths. This operation was immediately succeeded by the voracious reptiles, swallowing the string and fish. At no time did the idea of escape by disgorging the fish appear to present itself to the snakes. Many other specimens were captured in this ingenious manner.