San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-11-04
SNAKES FROM FLORIDA.
The Star of the Collection a Dia-
mond Rather with a Bad
Rattle,


Geological Gardens and were plac.
ed on exhibition for the first time
yesterday. 1t was the most not
able addition to the reptile house
since the advent of the two cobras
several months ago. The snakes
came from Florida, being shipped
here by express in a huge box di-
vided up into compartments.
The largest of the collection was
a big diamond rattlesnake 6 feet
long. When the box was opened
it was found coiled up ready to
spring upon the first person it
saw. Its tongue was darting in
and out, and the noise Of its rattles
could be heard for some distance,
telling of it's anger as plainly as
though it had uttered deep and
terrible oaths. Keeper Thompson,
whose experience Of sixteen years
enables him to read reptiles like
a book, was ready for him. 4 -s He
cleverly slipped a moose over the
poised head of the rattlesnake,
pulled it against pronged fork
and then the snake was secured.
1t spit forth about ten drops Of
venom in its struggles, and Was
altogether one of the most savage
snakes ever received at the "Zoo."
When placed in the cage with the
other rattlers the new specimen
was as nervous as a small boy
waiting for his turn to make a
speech. 1t squirmed around and
absolutely refused to feel comfort
able. Ever since his arrival he
has kept his rattlers going like
the "bones" Of an end man at a
minstrel show. AS may be i'm
agined, he was the leading SEN
sation in Keeper Thompson's
happy family, for few, if any, of
the visitors at the 600" had ever
heard the sound of an enraged
RATHER before. 1t resembled the
noise of big locust, as Mr..
Thompson put it, and it sounded
very ghoulish to the women who
listened to it, and who had fire.
quently read of the curions warn.
ing of this snake. 1t kept in a
striking pose all day long, but
finally became wonderfully en-
twined with the other snakes,
keeping its head and tail free.
If anyone touched the paper above
the cage it flashed its tongue out
rapidly and kept its musical tail
wagging, Notwithstanding its I'M
comfortable position.
Another curious specimen was
the cyclops snake. Its eyes are
very curiously placed, so near the
nose as to give it the effect of
having eyes, nose and mouth all
together at single place. 1t is
one Of the rarest snakes OF the col
lection. 1t is about 81 feet long.
Two fine harlequin snakes,
gaudily colored and full of life,
were also in the collection. They
Immediately set about to quarrel
with the others of their ilk who
occupied the cage. For a time
things looked exciting, but it
eventually turned out to be all a
joke. That's the trouble with
harlequins. Nobody knows when
they're fooling. Keeper Thompson
had lively time transferring the
big water snakes to their tank.
There was gnashing of teeth
among the big black specimens
and they rivaled the rattlesnakes
in viciousness. They are dark in
color now, and very large, but
when they get a few more months
added to their lives they will turn
lighter in color and much larger
besides. A half-dozen chicken
snakes, four or six black snakes, |
about the same number each Of
whip snakes, hognose snakes, |
rattlers and brown and
branded water snakes, were among
those added to the big collection. |
An interesting event in the
snake world was the advent of |
nine children into the family Of |
Mr.. and Mrs. Ground Rattlesnake. |
This is thought to be the largest |
number Of snakes of this species
ever born at one time. Last year, |
when the same snakes had six
the fact was commented
upon by scientists as being I'M
precedented. The latest addition,
however, beats all records. They
are very cute little specimens,
about the size of a penholder.
They are as lively as kittens and |
keep squirming about the case in
which they live with a vivacity |
that is wonderful.
The huge anaconda spent its !
time wrapped up in big blanket
yesterday. 1t has a yearning for
slaan that oan NOT ho nOnnnaroI