Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-29
TOOK OFF THEIR COATS.
They were two Large Pythens and Wan
ted New Salts.

The two large pythons which were i'm
ported from India for the Geological Car
den have made themselves at home In
their new quarters, says the Philadelphia
Press. They are said TO be the largest
reptiles in this country and naturally at
tract considerable attention. They had
only been here two weeks when both
snakes underwent change. They be-
came droopy and II was seen that they
had began to shed their skins.
The shedding process Is about at an end
now hut the manner in which the snakes
accomplish the greater part of the job
Is wonderful. The largest python meas
ures lG feet and the other II. They are
males and have mouths like cellar doors,
that are filled with terrible fangs. ON
Monday last the big snake which had
eaten nothing for three weeks because he
was shedding his coat got move on him
self climbed one OF the small trees and
cooled all around the limbs. Then he
rubbed his head and neck Violently
against the branches In every direction
and gradually loosencd the old cuticle
from around his head, mouth and neck.
In the meantime the other snake was
not idle II. too. cooled around the tree
and raising his he ad took hold OF It's big
brothers neck and by careful manipula-
ton loosened the skin from the head
and neck for about two feet down Then
Il took hold OF the Ioosened skin and the
keeper and spectators who were watching
the proceeding saw what was going 10
happen.
With its head and neck free the big
snake could help In the shedding opera
ton. and IL twisted around the tree near
the top and began TO pull away from the
smaller snake at top speed. Inch by inch
the old skin was released and the bright
colors of the new Cutcle came in view.
1t took nearly an hour to get about nan
of the body free from the old covering
and then both snakes rested. The old
skin was pulled back just as one would
turn n glove inside out and gave the rep
tile a peculiar appearance.
When the snakes resumed their job
they employed different tactics. The larg-
or snake climbed higher and the other
made itself fast lower down on the tree.
The smaller one took hold OF the skin
and pulled for all 81 was worth until all
of the covering. with the exception OF
about two feet from the big snakes TAN
Was loose.
Tbcn a most wonderful thing happened.
The big snakes head was at the top of
the tree and he hadn't been paying much
attention to the goings on at the other
,nd OF his body. When the smaller one
STONED pulling the big one looked down
and saw that something was wrong. HIS
eyes glstened, and reaching down ne
grabbed am0uthful Of his own covering
and proceeded 10 finish the job IL was
done with dispatch and ease The big
snake seemed proud OF his new suit ana
wrirglcd all around the case and admired
himself for some time. Then TO the aston
isnmcnt OF the watchers the smaller snake
climbed the tree and went through the
same performance. assisted by the larger
one "
After both reptiles were free from the
old skins they made meal OF them anu
drank about a gallon OF water 70 WASH !.
doyyn the repast. The keepers say that 1t
an no unusual thing for the small snakes
10 get rid OF their old skins In this way
but they never heard Of large snakes IKE
fine Dvthon or boa doing il.