Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
September 12, 1808
Primary Source Reference:
Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 34
Additional Source Text:
"At half past 7 oclock, a living mouse was put in to the snake, it remained half an hour, (but in the mean time the snake frequently struck at it without effect.) when the mouse was bitten it fell in two seconds and emediately became convulsed and in five minutes the mouse was dead."
Poulson's American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia), 6 Oct 1808 reads: "Two living Rattle Vipers, from North Carolina. A mouse was introduced to one of them, and expired in five minutes after having been struck by it. N.B. They are well secured with wove wire and glass -- one was presented by Mr. Zachariah Bowman."
Notes:
The snake from Bowman is recorded at 29 Sep 1808.
Three rattlesnake species are found in North Carolina: the pygmy, timber, and Eastern diamondback (Crotalus adamanteus), pictured here.
Specimen Type:
Live (presumably eventually taxidermied/preserved)
Current Common Name:
Eastern diamondback
Current Scientific Name
Crotalus adamanteus
