The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-09-24
THE PYTHON.
Some Interesting Facts Concerning
the Habits of the Python

Some Interesting Facts Concerning
the Habits OF the Python.
An English naturalist, who has
made special study OF snakes, gives
some interesting facts concerning the
habits ofthe reticulated-thatis is, hav-
ing skin bearing the appearance OF a
net-python, which he claims to be
much misunderstood reptile
There are two kinds OF constructing,
nonpoisonous snakes which are found
in Asia. The reticulated python is an
lnhabitant of the Malay countries.
The other species is the rock snake of
India and Ceylon. They are general
ly akin to the boas Of South America;
but, whereas it is q disputed point
whether boas lays eggs or produce
their young alive, pythons are un-
doubtedly ovlparous.
There was famous python in the
Jardin DIES Plantes, which actually
Matched a brood of young ones in the
year l841, after lying on fifteen eggs,
which she had collected in a conlcaI
pile, for about eight weeks.
1t is more than probable that most
OF the ''snake stories which are told
against the python are gross libels on
its character. Itrarely attacks hum
IN beings; and though there is an
authenticated case OF a python hay
ing killed Malay, he is supposed to
have "given himself away" by going
to sleep on the bench.
Again, it is hardly necessary to say
that those pictures of a. full-grown
buffalo or deer in the act of being de-
voured by a python, which decorated
the natural-history books of our
youth, are due entirely to the imagi-
nation of the artist.
The largest python in tho Zoologi-
cal Gardens of London is fed habitual-
ly on ducks, and those competent to
speak with authority on the subject,
are certain that he could not swallow
an animal larger than a half-grown
sheep.
Nor can you honestly say that the
python is voracious. It takes him a
month to digest an animal of any
size, and he frequently goes for many
weeks without any food. A fast of
twenty weeks is quite common,
when the reptile is in a semi-torpid
condition; and there is recorded in
stance of a prolonged abstinence from
food OF year and eleven months,
which was accomplished without any
perceptible i'll effects. He is also a
slow eater, the operation of gorging
taking about two hours.
The method by which the python
bags his game is sportsmanlike in the
extreme. At one time he will lie lowin
the water and seize his victim by the
nose when in the act of drinking. At
another he will swing lazily from
tree by his prehensile tail, and as the
animal passes underneath, will fix his
jaws in the neck. In twinkling the
coils are round the body Of the prey
and all life is crushed out of it.
Nothing can exceed the wonderful
mechanism by which the folds OF the
serpent, una1ded by the eye, are used
to get the victim into an attitude con-
venient for swallowing instance,
in dealing with the outstretched wings
OF a duck. Indeed, when very hungry,
a python can tackle three birds at
once, holding one in his mouth and
two more in his coils. So far from be-
ing petrifed with horror, as thelegend
has it, the victim appears absolutely
Indifferent to the snake until it is
seized, and then there is small time
for reflection. Rabbits have actually
been seen to nibble at the monster
which was about to devour them, and
an enterprising rat once bit a piece
out of python which was in a lethar-
gic condition.
Again, the stories OF constructors
covering their prey with saliva before
swallowing them must be rejected.
No doubt saliva flows freely during
the process, but mere glance at the
reptiles slender tongue demonstrates
how untitled it is for it's supposed Of
fee.
1t is, at least. certain that pythons
do not 60 through the saliva opera
ton in captivity, and it is unlikely
that any spectator has had the OPP
portunity, as we'll as nerve, to scien-
tifically note the performance of py-
thon in his native wilds.