The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-06-22
aelisfellaaeons.
The Habits of Snakes.

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Note Book, who had recently witnessed
the feeding OF the serpents in the Zoo
logical Gardens 10 London, says that
they are fed once a week, though some
Of them, md in particular the pythons,
do not take their food SO often, but w;,l
eat enough at meal 10 last for weeks,
aud even for months
Disregardiug the scientific division
Of the ord.r which comprises these ami.
mails, VIC may divide them into three
classes; firstly, those which seize their
prey with their teeth, asd crush it in
their folds secondly, those which seize
and swallow it alive, after the manner
OF lizards; aud, thirdly, those which
bite, or rather sting il with poisonous
faugs. or the first, the finest examples
are the pythons and boas, besides there
are the yellow snakes ofthe West Indies,
and others. Those Of the secopd are
fewer iu rumber; they include the rat.
snake Of Bengal, vipcrine suakc, Eng
lish suake, etc. The present specimens
Of the third class include rattlesnakes,
aud Indian and Egyptian cobras, water
vipers, etc.
The constructing serpents, as we may
term them, are kept IL large cases, the
entrance to which is either by glass
door in the front, which opeus by
Siding up, or by similar contrivancc
al the back, 10 the wooden partition.
The corubrine suakes are 10 some Of these
cases generally, aud indeed are SO harm
less that little precaution is needed
The veuomous serpeuts have no opening
but srnall one on the lid Of the case,
about two or three inches square
Through this their food is introduced
and all necessary operations for the
cleanliness aud order Of the interior are
performed with rod or stout wire, to
the evident disgust Of the occupants,
who. it new .comers, strike Mt it vigor-
ously with their fangs. The first 10 be
fed were the yellow snakes and other
species Of the same case. The keeper,
having unceremopiously removed the
blanket, beneath which most of the
occupants Of the compartment were
hurddled together, as usual, quickly
introduced under the glass door about
dozen sparrows and one or two
Guinea.pigs. The former Immediately
retired to the darkest corners, seeming.
however, to be quite unconcerued as to
the presence OF the snakes, as 10 some
cases they stood on the bodies Of the
latter; which for the most part remain
ed motionless. The Guinea pigs were
more restless, moving about as if iu
search of food They seemed to be
preferred by the snakes to the sparrows
aud presently one Of the reptiles, wait
ing his opportunity, seized Guinea
pig by the neck, and jerking it searer,
threw to or three folds round it, killing
it in few seconds,
The other snakes rapidly dispatched
the sparrows in the same way when
seized but they were apparently in no
hurry, us there was number of the
birds in one corner for more than an
hour, which had not been touched
during that time. II may be we'll to
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