The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-05-21
SPUNKY LITTLE FIGHTERS.
The King Snake Attacks and Kills Poison
Gus Reptiles Irrespective of Size.

The king snake is the wonder of all
| ophidians, writes Philadelphia Times
correspondent from Fort Davis. Texas.
A diminutive specimen. scarcely more
than three feet in length, yet the little
fellow is so active, so wary and is en-
dowed with such rare pluck that. as his
name implies, he is truly and un-
questionably the king of the family.
was out after peccaries. or
musk hogs. and sat down under a
water, 10 rest and eat bit of lunch.
While thus employed l was somewhat
| startled to see Il moccasin come rush
ing through the grass within a couple
of yards of me and go dashing head
over heels. so to speak, splash into the
water. After him, like shot, was an
elongated streak of bright green. In
he went, tee. and then l knew there
was fun in store. The water was a
sort of pool. without much of an inlet
or outlet, and. unless by going across
sand and rocks or by coming back on
shore again, neither combatant could
escape.
Sure enough. after racing and tear
| ing around in the pool like mad, both
pursuer and pursued emerged from the
opposite side. and proved to be as l
! thought, cotton-mouth moccasin and
rather small king snake. The latter
| was after the other, however. and be-
fore the big fellow gave up the race or
could throw himself into an attitude of
defense the king snake was upon him.
The sole and entire power of the latter
| L. l. -f,,1 nt,.,n
ing abilities. He has no fangs, no
poison. nothing to attack or defend
himself with save his coils, but these
are so marvelously powerful and so
terrible in compresSing that nothing in
the animal or reptile world according
TO size. can begin to compare with him
for the especial quality.
No sooner had the moccasin stopped
and turned to defend himself than like
lightning his enemy jumped upon him
and proceeded to squeeze the life out
of his ugly carcass. Tighter and tight
er grew the coils, always arranged so
that the big one could not strike, and
pretty soon the kings body was near
ly lost to view. so slender had it grown
from the construction and so deep was
he in the fat flesh of the moccasin. 1t
looked like green cord wound tightly
around the latter's body.
At last the moccasin ceased resist
ance and allowed his body to hang
loose and inert. For ten minutes long
er did the king snake hold his grip,
then gradually loosened it. but always
ready to resume his squeezing should
his enemy exhibit any signs of life.
Finally he uncoled himself entirely.
saw that the moccasin was no more.
| turned his back on the scene and went
gliding through the brush.
In some parts of Texas king snakes
are quite numerous. In the lowlands,
and especially in meadows and river
bottoms. they are found in great num-
bers. Nobody harms them, neither
whites nor negroes. and even Mexicans
seem TO understand their good quail
ties. for they seldom if ever harm one.
When soldiers are in camp and find a
great many king snakes in the vicinity,
they know it is a good sign. for poison
Gus snakes will steer clear OF that
locality, and never visit it while there
is one of the royal breed about.