The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-05-01
STRANGE PETS.
A New Craze Among Followers OF
Fashion.
curious and Interesting Creatures In De-
mand for Household Tlsy-h!ags
Reptile Rave Succeeded
NaLa Animals.

The popular craze to own something
that Is odd or out Of the common order
OF things has extended itself 70 house
hold pets. says the New ! ork sun. a
mum r-os departures II this direction
havc been made ia recent years that are
stri..ingly novel Mach time and mon
ey have been spent t. get some OF the
curious and Interesting specimens that
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 large
one to choose from. Many OF the vari-
eties are perfectly harmless and 50
rare that few persons have ever seen
specimen. and but little Is known Of
their habits.
There are several kinds that are eX-
ceediugly pretty, and to learn the pc
culiar habits OF these very tilnid Great
lIres "a ottentimcs both Instructive and
amusing, especially to young people or
children.
The smaller kinds of harmless rep
tiles are, rs a matter of course, the only
ones from which desirable pets may be
selected. They can be kept with little,
if any, trouble, and no expense.
The only outlay is the buying OF "A
case in which to keep the pets and even
this may be avoided by making one.
good-sized box with a glass side might
easily be utilized for a den. lining
of bark both adds to the effect and
makes it plcasantcr for the inmates OF
the case. ! sandy, graveIly floor, with
a few stones, piece of rugged wood
and a good-sizcd pan of water are all
that viii bc required for the most
fastidiOus reptile. Those intending TO
keep these curious pets can buy or fit
up IS handsome a den as the length of
their pockets and fancy may dictate.
OF the many wonderful creatures that
viii thrive il limited space and readily
adapt themselves to circumstances, the
green trcc-tOad is probably the prettiest
and most entertaining. 1t Is found IN
large numbers in Southern Europe
and Northern Africa. 1t lives almost
entirely on insects, which it gath
ers from trees. The formation of
the tree toad is indeed peculiar, and is
striking example OF the provision made
by nature for her children. On each of
its toes the tree toad has a small sucker
by which it is enabled 70 travel over
smooth perpendicular surfaces. \ tree
toad can climb mp and rcmaiu clinGing
to a pane OF glas, without ans apparent
effort. 1t is so extremely lfrnt - % hc
able 70 walk over and among leaves
without weighing them down or causing
the slightest trrmor.
In clear, fine, a5ushiuy weather the
color of the reptile Is q bright emerald
green Al 'A' weather. '- '."'t '.-'o ll'Glg
the color oI tA' tEe' t'n' Iair.llF
changes 10 "a muddy. oaI' green. fof
food II Will take any small insect, ana
Is very fond OF flies
another pretty an" aHl'ainE little
rePlI' Una, It's very v2HiiE tanned Is tAr
common 'i~afu. It' HlcN movements
aH" 'Ie way IN ""-sn IL lor,:-ea lof
lI,eI' H-'.Ng9 4I &" very interesting pet
Inc Ii~"iaN are Pre'ly, ma ONE rare
spec .'nvus nave D,th brought lI"n the
"eae iEd.ca tAat are very handsomely