The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-06-18
FEEDING A BIG BOA.
A HUGE SNAKE BREAKS HIS
lH Ge FAST. UH
Two Puppies Are sacriaoed-The Serpent
Crushes His Prey and Then DelIber-
ately Proceeds to Swallow 1t at One
Gulp.

Snakes are not big eaters. That is
to say, they do not eat frequently, but
when they get ready they can do the
subject Of food ample justice. At least,
the big boa constructor in the zoo show
ed his capabilities recently, when, after
fast of his own choosing for three or
four months, he concluded to eat a
mite, just to keep him in good condi-
ton for the summer season, when he
will take the road with a show, for
this great snake, in all about twenty
five feet long without stretching him
self, is the property of a travelling
menagerie, says the Cincinnati Com
mercial Tribune. They have been car
ing for him at the zoo some time, the
only item of rent being his keep, and
that, as you will see, is not much as he
has had but two square or rather
round, meals in six or eight months.
At different times they have tempted
him, but he turned from food even
when offered in live shape, and said
in snake talk: mo, thank you" But
people who have fooled with snakes
know that they will come to their ap-
petites If you only let them alone. A
keeper tried this snake with some
water in big pan. He dabbled in it a
little and then drank the whole allow
ance. Maybe if he was thirsty he
would also eat, and the experiment was
made. In anticipation of the feast two
puppy dogs had been provided, weigh
ing about twelve or fifteen pounds
each. They were not highbred dogs
Just plain dog and spaniel mixed-for
there is no necessity for feeding
snake thoroughbred dogs. When his
lengthy majesty is hungry he will eat
almost any kind of old dog. About 4
or O'clock in the afternoon one of the
pups was put in the cage. Now, there
was no struggle nor any frantic eff
forts on the part Of the dog to escape.
He huddled to himself in a timid and
backward way as if the game wasn't to
his liking, but the boa felt differently.
He reached out in minute or two and
embraced the pup. Then he took an
extra wrap or two, until there was |
to be seen but trace of a dog
tangled up in the folds of the huge |
boa constructor. There was a suueal
from the pup, but it was not protracted. |
Then there was the crunching of bones
and the act of killing was all over,
though there was no break in the pro-
gram of the victor. He opened his
cavern of mouth, and the remains of
The pup went to another cavern prop
erly prepared for him. About this
lime Mr.. Snake coiled himself up as If
or long winters nap, but his keep
'rs concluded, while he was in the
mood, to give him enough to last him
or few months, anyhow. So at 7
''clock, or thereabout, another pup was
Iut in the cage and watched. 1t was
V1aent that the boa would go on with
lis meal, for he was now interested in
he proceedings. Within a half hour
lie reached, if a snake can reach, and
puppy dog No. 2 to the folds,
nd in the same way as in the case of
- w. AAAS "do VI ublCu OuL OI L06
econd victim. And in the same way
nd over the the same route the second
uppy went to a cavern, but not to the
anne one. The first had moved farther
long in the snakes peculiar anatomy,
saving plenty of room for the second
lstallment. Even the next day there
ERE two big protuberances in plain ,
whence. The day following the owner :
as at the gardens, and he was glad :
hear Of the snake feeding. He wants :
i'm to eat some more while he is in
lie mood. With this in view, he will +
'on send two more puppies to the zoo, I
oping that the snake will gorge him 7
If well and good. Since his meal the :
"a has been rather quiet. Like man @
no has gorged himself, he seems in l.
ined to sleep it off, though he has v
no means been entirely motionless. d
e knows what is going on all the time o
Id he is not in any better humor sim P
because he has been fed.
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