The St. Johns herald., 1891-06-04
STRANGE PETS.
A New Craze Among Followers Of
 Fashion.
Curious and Interesting Creatures in De mand for Household Piaythings Reptiles Have Succeeded
 Wild Animals.

The popular craze to own something that is odd or out of the common order of thinrs has extended itself to house hold pets, says the New York Sun. 4 number of departures in this direction have been made in re ccrt years that gre strixingiy novel. Much time and non ey have been spent to get some of t!c curious and interesting specimens tha: one occasionally hears of as household pets.
 The popular craze now seems to be to keep tame and harmless reptiles wildcats and jaguars have gone out of fashion. The reptile family is largo one to choose from. Many of the vari- cites are perfectly harmless and SC rare that few persons have ever seen 6 specimen, and but little is known oi their habits.
 There are several kinds that are ez- ceedingly pretty, and to learn the pc cai;ar habits Of these very timid crcat- Ercs is oftentiInes both instructive anC amusing, especially to young people Oi children.
 The smaller kinds of harmless rep tiles are, as a matter of course, the only ones from which desirable pets nay be selected. They can be kept with little, ii any, trouble, and no expense.
 The only outlay is the buying of Q case in which to keep the pets and even this may be avoided by making one. 4 good-sized box with a glass side might easily be utilized for den. 1 lining of bark both adds to the effect and makes it plcasanter for the inmates of tae case. A sandy, gravelly floor, with a few stones, a piece of rugged wood and a good-sized pan of water are all that will be required for the most fastidious reptile. Those intending to I-cep these curious pets can buy or fit up as handsome Q den as the length of their pockets and fancy may dictate.
 Of the many wonderful creatures that will thrive in limited space and readily adapt themselves to circumstances, the green tree-toad is probably the prettiest and most entertaining. It is found in large numbers in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. It lives almost entirely on insects, which it gath CTS from trees. The formation of the tree toad is indeed peculiar, and is Q striking example of the provision made by nature for her children. On each of its toes the tree toad has small sucker by which it is enabled to travel over smooth perpendicular surfaces. A tree toad can climb up and remain clinging to pane of glass without any apparent effort. 1t is so extremely light as to be able to walk over and among leaves without weighing them down or causing the slightest tremor.
 In clear, fine, sunshiny weather the color of the reptile is a bright emerald green. If the weather is dull and cloudy the color of the tree toad quickly changes to Q muddy, dull green. For food it will take any small insect, anc is very fond of flies.
 Another pretty and amusing little reptile that is very easily tanned is the common lizard. Its quick movement and the way in which it forages for itself makes it a very interesting pet. The lizards are pretty, and some rarC specimens have been brought from tho West Indies that are very handsomely marked. They may be kept in the same case with tree toads and thrive On the same kind Of food.
 There are few reptiles that are de spised by the average countryman more thoroughly than the common newt, which may be found in almost all ponds, ditches or small pools. They gre perfectly harmless and frequently very beautiful Some of the varieties are beautifully spotted with bright vel low on black surface. They are as much at home in the water and as quick of motion as fish. They are constantly on the move and swim gracefully to and fro, searching for tad poles, worms and any small watcr-in- sects that may come in their way, all of which they devour with ayility. The newt might also be kept in the den with the tree toads and lizards. providing the water supply is large enough to allow the newt space i. which to swim. Like frogs, newts dC not gain their perfect form for six weeks after they are hatched or come out C. the egg, which really hatchcs itself. They are constantly changing their <llins, and often look quite ragged, as if in want of a new coat.