In Chapter 13, what is Chet Bullens's motivation for trying to catch a snake in the woods?

In Chapter 13, Chet Bullens wants to catch a snake in the woods so he can brag to his friends, particularly one named John Davies, that he was brave and courageous enough to hunt and catch a snake. John Davies claimed he had found a snakeskin in the woods near school, and Chet wants to outdo him.