Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-02-07
How Rattlesnakes are Born,


About the 10th of May last Doctors
Cardwell and Westmorcland captured,
at Prospect, in the lower edge of Giles
county, near the Alabama line, q rat.
tlesnake four feet three inches long
and five inches in circumference.
The snake was sent to the exposition,
but tho managers not deeming itprop
or to receive ii IL was sent to the drug
store Of Messrs. Berry & Demoville,
who also declined to give it quarters
II was then sent to the drug store of
Nj. G. Cotton, in South Nashville,
where it has been since the 18th of
May. Whom captured it had eight
rattles and button. Since that time
it has been confined in glass case
and has not partaken Of one particle
of food, though it has been tempted
with mice and other small animals on
which the reptile is accustomed TO
feed. The snake manifested no in.
convenience from its confinement, nor
did it lose any in size or bodily vital.
ty. It's eyes continued TO glisten like
magnetic steel, and its lancinating
tongue was as ready to protrudc at
the appearance Of any one near its
case. DR.. Cotton thought all the
while it was q male. Though small
mice and rats have been confined in
the case with tho snake until their
own hunger urged them 10 bite at its
scaly hide, the serpent refused to give
them notice or to partake of food
On two or three occasions il has taken
small quantities Of water On Thurs
day, at | o'clock, on going into the
back room of the store, where the case
is kept, it was discovered that the
snake had given birth to four young
snakes, and by 3 o'clock she had Civ
en- birth 10 thrco more, making seven
in all. Tho young snakes made their
appearance one at time and in
coiled or striking position, their eyes
glistening and their envcnomod
tongues continuously darting out
The young ones are each from nine to
fifteen inches in length and in n state
of perfect development. They are
quick Of motion and possess no ordi.
nary spinal vitality, as they crawl
readily to the top Of tho case and
move with CELEBRITY across and around
it from end to end. What is most
singular and contrary to all the re-
'ceived notions concerning the reptile,
each Of these young snakes has full
button on the tail, which clearly re-
iutes the idea that they have TO be six
months old before the formation of the
button. The old snake was lying in
her cage in lethargc state, with
some Indications as the doctor thought,
Of increasing the coiling family. The
young snakes coil around her and
under and over her, and she seems to
have for them the natural maternal
affection of instinct. This snake has
been in captivity near four months,
yet during alI that period she has par
taken of not II morsel Of food, and has
brooded her seven young. As to eX-
actly how long from inception the
process of CESSATION or incubation has
been going on there is no means of as
ocrtaining, as we can only date from
her captivity.
DR.. Cotton informs us that he once
before kept in the same case large
sized ratlIcsnakc for three years and
nine months, and that he studied
closely its various moods and changes,
This snake, he says, did not partake
of particle of food for the first nine
months and but little water He then
gave il mice, rats, etc, putting tho
same into the case alive, and it com.
monced devouring them voraciously.
1t never would touch lame mouse or
q dead one, fresh as il might be-
when young rat was put into the
case it would plant its unerring fang
in some part OF the limb or body, and
then wait until it died from the
thorough inoculation of the posion.-
When quite dead ii would turn it over,
take IL headforemost and swallow it,
evidently drawing nutriment from the
poison its own fanga had infused. II
shed its skin twice year - each
spring and autumn--a new rattle ap.
Joaring at each shedding, which ex.
plodes the popular notion that but one
rattle comes year.
Yesterday morning the doctor took
the case and put it in the sun. From
tho effects of the sun three of the
young snakes died Two others be.
came stupcfed, but recovered their
vitality on being removed into the
shade Tho circumstance attracted
large numbers of visitors to the drug
store TO sec the venomous family yes.
terdsy evening. --NdShCiRe american.