| Hoop snake | |
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First Appearance |
American/Australian folklore |
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Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
The hoop snake is a mythical species of venomous snake from American and Australian folklore. It is known for its ability to grab the tip of its tail with its mouth, and roll like a wheel to chase prey.
The Hoop Snake was mentioned in a letter in 1784:
"As other serpents crawl upon their bellies, so can this; but he has another method of moving peculiar to his own species, which he always adopts when he is in eager pursuit of his prey; he throws himself into a circle, running rapidly around, advancing like a hoop, with his tail arising and pointed forward in the circle, by which he is always in the ready position of striking. It is observed that they only make use of this method in attacking; for when they flee from their enemy they go upon their bellies, like other serpents. From the above circumstance, peculiar to themselves, they have also derived the appellation of hoop snakes."
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Tour in the U. S. A., Vol. I (1784)
- Charles M. Walker’s A History of Athens Co., Ohio (1869)
- Fearsome Critters (1939)
Notes[]
- Tsuchinoko, a creature from Japanese folklore, has several similarities to the Hoop Snake.