Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-06-22

THE CANNIBAl SNAKE.
He Had . wonderful Appetite end Tried
to Satisfy It.

Ia Satisfy It.
Tho Cincinnati ZOO has n cannibal
snake Tho fact was discovered Satur-
day. when his snakeship was caught in
the act
Superintendent Stephan some months
ago placed in one of the large glass
cages used for reptiles in the carnivora
lot Of about % snakes of different
kinds There We're a couple of Florida
gopher snakes and a number of house
snakes, garter snakes, black snakes and
others.
Besides these there was fine speci-
men of pine snake, ~ feet long. The
pine snake is of cream color, long and
graceful, and made a striking contrast
with the glossy blue black of the go.
pher. Some months ago one of the house
snakes disappeared. Superintendent Ste
phan asked tho keepers about the dis
appearance, but they could not account
for it. About two weeks later another
snake disappeared. One after another
the house snakes disappeared. but no
explanation could DO had.
Recently it was noticed that the gar
ter snakes were decreasing in number,
and one by one they disappeared. The
superintendent took young Meyer, son
of tho old keeper. and who was new
hand, TO task for his apparent neglect,
but Meyer maintained his innocence
well, they don't evaporate. and they
are disappearing one by one, said the
superintendent
In time the garter snakes all disap-
peared, and the black snakes began to
take their departure in the same mysti-
flying way.
Stephan made careful examination
of the glass cage for about the twenti-
eth time, but could find no place where
they could escape The airholes were
all covered with wire screens. and the
traps for feeding were in good shape.
This was about two weeks ago, and
Stephan was beginning to think that
the keepers were moro careful Satur-
day morning he walked up to the cage,
and this time the cream colored pine
snake was not in sight. The gophcrs
were twisted up i'll coil III one corner,
but the pine snake could not be seen.
hic w 1OuHk
Where is that pine snake?"
81 am sure don't know" said the
young keeper as no came forward 10 the
cage.
lyon let him out when you tended
them this morning.
mo. he was there then, and | left
him there"
well, if he was there then and amt
/ there now. who else could have let him
out:"
~ am sure don't know. He may be
there now, twisted up with tho GO
piers"
Meyer produced long pole and reach
ed with it into the cage He turned
over the roll of snakes
There he isv' he cried as flash of
cream color lit up the dark background
the cage. when queer sight confronted
him, which solved the whole problem
But onc-half of the pine snake was visi-
bic, and that protruding out of the
mouth Of one of the gophers.
THAT gopher is cannibal," said
Stephan.
"Yes. and that's how the snakes have
been getting out of the cage without my
letting him out" said Meyer
Haul them ont, and let's try to save
the pine. said Stephan.
The hook was thrown behind them,
and gopher and pine snake were drag
ged ont into large tin pan. 1t would
not do 10 make n pull on the tails of tho
two snakes, as that would break tine fangs
of the gopher and prevent his feeding.
Stephan then took lead pencil and
with it pried open the gophers mouth.
He then inserted another pencil behind
the fangs and pulled out the pine snake.
They were then placed in separate cages
and fed upon liberal allowance Of
milk. For n few hours it was doubtful
il the pine snake would get well. hut
be revived III the evening aud is now
ont Of danger
The cannibal is nov kept in n cage by
himself rs IN especial attraction The
| gopher is IL foot SO: ar than the 30
snake -Cincinn;.;i lost,