The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-12-27
The Mouse On bis Muscle.

About eighteen months ago q drug clerk
in Nashville captured bury rattlesnake
about four feet long, aud sporting sight
ratlles and bat on lie bought it
home prisoner. prepared handsome
glass case for It's reception, and has since
devoted his leisure to the study and
care Of the reptile, and three other varie-
ties OF snakes which he from time to time
secured, and placed in the same case.
These snakes live in perfect harmony.
The one with the Tattles, being quite the
largest, paid no attention to his compan-
ions, and they, to rccipr0cate, paid no at
tention to him. In relation to the former,
the gentleman gives the following interest
ing particulars
About two months after his capture, his
snakeship changed his coat by shedding
his skin. This he accomplished in short
order Being prepared, he commenced
by striking his head against the side Of
the case until the skin was disengaged,
and then, by q skilliul series OF oonyul-
sions, he came out with new suit, glis-
tening bright-the whole process occupy
ing twenty TO thirty minutes. During the
present year he has shed three times
in May, July, and a few weeks ago
and it is presumed this is his regular hab-
it.
His diet is light For two months after
capture he could be induced to take moth
ing on his stomach. For some months he
only ate one mouse, and nothing else, and
was, for about that length Of time, with
out eating anything at all, Within the
last two months he has had better appe-
tite, and swallowed thirty-siX OF these
dainty little creatures. His method is to
| strike the mouse with his fangs, and
after he is dead he takes it in his mouth,
and then down it goes In q very few mo-
mcnts. lie drinks nothing stronger than
water, and only takes this chin beverage
about three time year Most Of the time
| he IS perfectly qulescent; sleeps great
deal /; when restless gildes within the case
as if seeking to make his escape, but makes
no violent demonstrations.
IatterIy lac has had three companions
a chicken snake, black, and a spotted
bush snake The first Of these took a
mouse three weeks ago; the others moth
Ing. Some six or eight mice have been
kept constantly in the case, but for some
weeks have been unmolested.
4 few days ago a fresh mouse was put
in. He took a view OF the situation and
resolved upon fight lie first went for"
the least OF the surrounding evils. .Grasp
ing the least serpent, he severed his head
from his body in a few minutes without
injury to himself TFe then, after brief
pause attacked the next larger, cutting off
the extremity Of his tail. In this case he
met with resistance, and was several times
bitten, but persisted until he killed his en-
envy.
Going for the "chicken snake he
moved upon Its center-was several times
stricken, but continued the contest with
remarkable GOODNESS and perseverance.
When in very close quarters, he would
retreat and take breath.
In the midst of this fight, the rattle
snake become aroused and moved excited
ly about within the case. The mouse,
esteeming this an act Of hostility, bounced
upon his pew foe with desperate courage,
biting him about the head, along the sides
and upon the back.
lie received fearful warning in the ''rat-
Ting Of his snakeship, but received no
wound from him, quitting this one he
would return to the other and renew his
persistent assault, and fer twenty four
hours he thus continued the struggle
The poison he had received then began
to work he sjckened, retired to corner
of The case, and expired. This is perhaps
the most heroic passage to be found any
where in the Universal History of the
Mouse" He was taken out and buried,
! like Sir John Moore, without funeral
note - but amid the silent sorrow Of ad
miring friends.