![]() ![]() Most snakes hatch or are born in late summer. Egg-layers usually deposit their clutches (groups of eggs) in dirt, beneath stones or logs, or in piles of decaying wood or vegetation during late spring or early summer. They generally mate in the spring, shortly after leaving whatever hollow, burrow or rock crevice has sheltered them through winter hibernation. Reproductionĭepending on the species, snakes may be egg-layers or give birth to live young. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning. The important thing to remember is that unless you attempt to harm or capture a snake, it is almost impossible to get bitten. Our nonvenomous snakes all possess short, thin, very sharp teeth that leave clean, shallow wounds (rarely requiring even a bandage), and which - unlike the bites of mammals - carry no threat of disease. ![]() In self defense, some will indeed bite, but except in the case of our two extremely rare, venomous species, the resulting wounds are superficial. Other species attempt to frighten or intimidate potential enemies through bluff: flattening their heads, puffing up their bodies, rattling their tails or hissing. Even then, the defensive maneuvers of several species are nothing more offensive than releasing foul-smelling anal secretions. None of them are aggressive, although - like most animals - they will defend themselves if threatened, injured or captured. Most of them, even as adults, are less than three feet long, and several are generally less than a foot in length. Although no human fatalities have been attributed to coral snakes in Arizona, probably because of their small size and generally nonaggressive nature, they should be left alone and never handled.Ĭoral snakes are rarely seen here, but they are likely common.In Massachusetts we have fourteen species of native snakes. Venom from this species, released from fixed fangs in the front of the mouth, is highly toxic. Coral snakes also make a sound by releasing air from their rear vent, a practice politely described by scientists as "cloacal popping". When encountered above ground, coral snakes exhibit a strange array of anti-predator behaviors, including hiding their head and using their tail as a decoy to "strike" at the predator. Spending most of their time underground, they feed primarily on other fossorial snakes such as black and ground snakes. Each combatant tried to maintain the uppermost position and force his opponent's head to the ground.Ĭoral snakes are brightly-colored with red, yellow or cream, and black rings that completely encircle the body. Though rarely observed, such combat is probably common among male gopher snakes competing for territory or females. The photograph of two male gopher snakes fighting on the Lower Cliff Dwelling trail was taken in Spring 1995 the fight occurred while visitors watched in late afternoon, and continued for at least two hours. ![]() Nevertheless, they usually become mild-mannered when handled, and are well-liked by some farmers because of the large number of rodents they consume. A series of large brown, reddish brown, black, or olive blotches line the back.They are notorious impersonators of rattlesnakes- when alarmed, they flatten their heads, hiss, strike out repeatedly, and vibrate their rattle-less tails. ![]() The base coloration is tan, cream, yellow, orange-brown, or pale gray. Gopher snakes, often called "bullsnakes", are found throughout the US, and are seen with some frequency at the Monument. ![]()
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