The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-12

or known a snake of more extensive
accomplishments. His behavior sur
prises all who see him, yet he falls far
short of the level of intelligence claim
ed for serpents by Mr.. Romanes.
At present he is undoubtedly a tame
snake. Every time / go to his cage he
expects to be fed, and Is ready to seize
in his jaws the first finger that makes
an individual move, thinking 1t a frog
or mouse, or some other OF the DAM
ties he covets. Yesterday took a gar
ter snake by the tail, approached his
I cage and opened IL. Out he dashed 10
snatch IL from my hand. / backed off
towards the door, still holding up the
little snake before him. After me came
the black snake as fast as he could get
over the floor. Out into the hallway
he followed me, every moment dashing
open-mouthed at the garter snake
which i carefully kept well out of his
reach. When / turned back into the
room he turned Also and wherever I
went he made his way, until finally he
grabbed the garter snake by the head,
swallowed IL with avidity, and looked
90 me for another. If 1 moved my
hands he would stretch up towards me.
but IL 1 wagged a single finger, he
would try with open jaws to seize II,
evidently mistaking 1t for another
snake. When / gently put down my
hand and lifted him up-the fingers
not moving individually,-he discontin-
ued biting at them, seeming to have
found out that they were not snakes.
He allowed me to rub my finger rapid
~ up and down his throat and under
his chin, along the sides of his mouth,
over his eyes and down the back of his
neck; and instead of making any dis
play of fear, anger, or dislike of such
treatment, held his neck rigidly
straight as If he enjoyed the rubbing.
Under such circumstances this is al
ways his behavior; and yet he never
comes towards me except when / tempt
him with food; and he never gives the
slightest sign of being able to distin-
guish me from any one else. In fact,
he has apparently no power of recog-
nizing individuals, nor does there APP
pear to be the slightest hope that he
VIII ever learn to do so. Love, jeal-
ousy, gratitude. resentment of ill-usage
are feelings which appear to be en- |
tirely lacking in his nature. His tame |
ness all resolves itself into this that |
he has simply lost his fear of man. |
and manifests all his instincts as freely |
in human presence as in the wild life |
brought him from. Neither has he |
any love for his cage except as a feed
ing ground, but will coil himself i'm
any comfortable corner and make
there his temporary sojourn.
In fine, though he is beautiful in
form and coloring, graceful in his
and gentle in his demean-
or except towards his prey or his en-
emies. still. as he is a gluttonous, love-
less vagrant in nature, he Is the same
In captivity,-the only difference being
that he has entirely lost that dread of
human presence which makes the
whole of the animal world appear to us
In characters abnormal and distorted
Mo. Coll H.
through which he has passed, showing
how he lost his fear, gave free ding
TO his instincts. and became, in so far
As he could. a tame snake:
Aug. 49, He realizes that the
glass of his cage is a protection. but
refuses to eat in my presence.
Sept. 93. Eats in my presence, if
remain motionless.
S.-Nov. '93. Finds my movements
not dangerous, even when l put my
land in his cage; ceases to resent nv |
ioing so, but continues to vibrate his
-ail
4.-Jan. '94. Eats in my presence.
wen If i move about; has ceased to |
'ibrate his tail in the cage. but will do
70 If coiled in a corner of the room;
permits me to hold him in my hands
without biting, but still tries to escape
rom me.
5.-June. "a. Has learned to EXPECT |
God when | open the cage, and comes !
o the opening to wait for it, Does not |
'ibrate his tail inside or outside the
age. except in the presence of a large
at, cat. dog. etc.
6-Jan. 30. Snatches food out Of my
lands while he is still in his cage. but
viii not do so outside. Does not try
o escape when | hold him in my
lands
MAY. 80. Not only expects food
fhen / open the cage, but comes out
or II and follows me at lively rate
round the room and outside Eats in
ny place or position. even when held
4 my hands. but doesn't know me
rom any one else. Evidently likes TO
e handled, and has lost every trace
{ fear for man. G. II. O'ReilIv I