The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-11-24
STRATEGY OF BIG REPTILES.
Making Rabbits Think Their Open jaw,
au Avenue of Escape.

au Avenue OF Escape.
In addition to possessing many won
derful traits that distinguish them
from the other members of the big
family of snakes at the Philadelphia
geological garden, tho two pythons,
have recently developed some now
wrinkles which they must have
brought over from India. While Wis
itors to the garden were marveling at
the recent luncheon the reptiles made
of their skins, the pythons regained
their pristine freshness and recovered
from the state of lethargy into which
they fall when the skin transition
takes place The reptiles were given
their first hearty meal, and the man.
ner in which they got their meal is
novel, and shows that some of the GUS
toms of their native country still cling
to them. A dozen rabbits were put in
the large case and Immediately there
was a scurrying. The snakes did their
part and the rabbits more than ex-
hibited their agility. As soon as the
big python got chance he grabbed
one of the animals by the nape of the
neck, threw it in the air ard caught it
when it came down with a half hitch
he had taken in his body This per-
formance was repeated several times
and finally when all the bones had
been broken the python swallowed the
rabbit, ears, legs and all. In the mean
time, out of Difference evidently to his
companion, the small python lay quiet.
He watched the rabbit, however, and
his eyes sparkled like diamonds in the
anticipation of the feed Having swal-
lowed the rabbit, the big python re-
peated his performance until eight of
the twelve rabbits remained. He
moved about lazily and tried to catch
another rabbit but the animals he had
swallowed made his movements neces-
sarily slow and finally he gave up the
job and lay on the floor with part of
his body concealed by the foliage. His
head lay directly under a bunch of
leaves, and he was evidently preparing
for Il coup d'etat that would net him
more rabbits.
The onloolers were not disappointed,
for presently the big python opened
his mouth and the cavity looked for
all the world like a hole in the case.
One of the rabbits thought it was an
avenue of escape and made bolt head
long into the capacious nav. The
jaws closed, there was peculiar move
nent Of the snakes body and there
was one less rabbit in the cage. The
smaller python fell in with the ideas
of his companion at once and he, too
slid into a corner and opened his
mouth. Seeing their companion had
apparently made his escape and that
there was another cavity open to them
another of the rabbits dived into the
mouth of the small snake. He had not
been gorged like his big brother and he
soon dispatched the rabbit and came
up smiling for another go. Meantime
the large snake had recovered and was
prepared for another nice fat rabbit.
He opened his nav and gave vicious
hiss that startled the small snake as
well rs the rabbits and there was addi-
tional agitation all around. The small
snake had evidently been trained in
this service, for he Immediately began
to move about the cage, gathering the
"
Meantime the big snake had not moved,
and his mouth was as wide open as IA
clans at high water The small snake
must have sulkcd in fashion peculiar
to his family, for the larger one closed
his jaws with u snap that sounded like
a pistol shot, and his forked tongue
darted forth in an alarming manner,
and sharp Kissing sound started the
rabbits on steeple chase around the
cage over the small snakes body.
For minute all was quiet, the small
snake evidently turning the matter
over in his mind and coming to the
conclusion that he was not to get any
more rabbits. Then he began to form
a circle about the rabbits and formed
a corral around them with his body.
Then he raised his head above and
back of the frightened rabbits and the
big snake with its face opening ready,
winlsed his eyes in anticipation. One
after the other the four rabbits were
forced to lump down the big python's $
throat. Until there was no room for
more. Then and only then did smile
of joy settle over the big reptiles coun-
tenance, as he calmly closed his mouth
and went off into dose. The smaller
reptile, seeing his chance at last
quickly dispatched the other rabbits
and he, too, went off into corner and
composed himself for long rest
Philadelphia Press.