The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1868-04-23
A Mouse on his Muscle.


1 A Mouse on his Muscle.
About eight month ago drug clerk
in Nashville captured burly rattle-
snake about four feet long, and sporting
eight rattles, "and button." He
brought it home prisoner, prepared a
handsom glass case for its reception, and
has since devoted his leisure TO the
study and care of the reptile. and three
other varieties Of snakes which he from
time to time, secured and placed in the
same case. 7s
These snakes live In perfect harmony.
The one with the rattles being quite the
largest, paid no attention to his COM
panions, and they to reciprocate, paid
no attention to him. -I
In relation to the former the gentle
man gives the following interesting par
Ahnnt Tvs. ...unJns aIter his capture
h;s s..Akaship changed his coat by she'd
ding his skin. This he accomplished
in short order. Being prepared he COM
menced by striking his head against the
side of the case until the skin was dis
engaged, and then by skillful series of
convulsions, he came out with u new
suit, glistening bright-the whole pro.
cess occupying twenty or thirty min
utes. 2~
During the present year he has shed
three times-in May, July and few
weeks ago-and it is presumed this is
his regular habit. ....
His diet Is light. For two months az
ter capture he could be induced to take
nothing OH his stomach. For nine
months he only ate one mouse and moth
ing else, and was for about that length
oftime without eating anything at all.
Within the last two months he had a
better appetite, and swallowed thirty of
these dainty little creatures. His meth
od is to strike the mouse with his fangs
and after it is dead he takes it in his
mouth and down it goes" in a very
few minutes.
He drinks nothing stronger than wa
ter, and only takes this thin beverage
about three times year. Most Of the
time he is perfectly quiescent; sleeps n
great deal, when restless glides within
his case as ifseeking to make his escape,
but makes no violent denonst rations.
Latterly he has had three companions
"a chicken snake, a black, and spotted
bush snake. The first of these took a
mouse a few weeks ago, the other moth
ing. Some six or eight mice have been
kept constantly in the case but for
some weeks have been unmolested.
A few days ago a fresh mouse was put
in. He took a view of the situation and
resolved upon fight. He first ''weDt
for" the least of the surrounding evils.
Grasping the least serpent, he severed
his head from his body. He then, af-
ter brief pause, attacked the next larger
cutting off the extremity of his tall
In this case he met with resistance, and
was several times bitten, but persisted
until lie had killed his enemy.
Going for the chicken snake he NOV
cd upon its center, was several times
stricken, but continued the contest with
remarkable coolness and perseverance.
" hen in very close quarters he would
retreat and take breath,
In the midst Of the fight the rattle
snake became alarmed and moved about
within the case.
The mouse esteelning this an act of
hostility, lounced upon his new foe
with desperate courage, biting him on
the head and on the back.
He received fearful warning in the
rattleing of his snakeship, but received
no wound from him. Quitting this one
he would return to the other and renew
his persistent assaults, and for twenty
hours he thus continued the struggle.
The poison he had received then be-
gan to work lie sickened retired to q
corner Of the case, aud in a few hours
expired
This is perhaps the most heroic pas
sage to be found in the 'Uniyersal His
tory of the Mouse.
He was taken out and buried, like Sir
John Moore, without drum or funer-
al note;' but amid the silent sorrows
ofadmiring friends.