The record-union., 1898-09-26
FEEDING A MONSTER BOA.
Snakes Are Great Fasters, but Hav
Good Appetites Periodically.

Snakes are not big eaters. That is
to say, they do not eat frequently, but
when they get good and ready they
can do the subject of food ample JUS
tice. AT least the big boa constructor
in the Zoo showed his capabilities Sat
urday, when, after a fast of his own
choosing for three or four months, he
concluded to eat a mite, just to keep
him in good condition for the summer
season, when he will take the road
with the Robinson shows, for this great
snake, in all about twenty-five feet
long without stretching himself, is the
property of the Robinsons They have
been caring 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 a 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 On
Saturday last, Sol Stephan tried this
snake with some water in a big pan.
He dabbled in it a little and then drank
the whole allowance. Maybe, if he was
SO thirsty, he would also eat, and the
experiment was made.
In anticipation of the feast two puppy
dogs had been provided, weighing
about twelve or fifteen pounds each.
They We're not high bred dogs, just
plain dog and spaniel mixed, for there
is no necessity for feeding a snake
thoroughbred dogs. When his lengthy
majesty is hungry he will eat almost
any kind of an 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 diff
ferently. He reached out in a minute
or two and embraced the pup. Then
he took an extra wrap or two, until
there was nothing to be seen but a
trace of a dog tangled up in the folds
of the huge boa constructor. There was
a squeal from the pup, but it was not
protracted. Then there was the crunch
ing of bones, and the act of killing
was all over, though there was no
break in the program of the victor. He
opened his cavern of a mouth. and the
remains of the pup went to another
cavern properly prepared for him.
About this time Mr.. Snake coiled
himself up as if for a long winters
nap, but his keepers concluded, while
he was in the mood, to give him enough
tn 10 ctth foy
So at o'clock, or Whereabouts, another
pup was put in the cage and watched.
1t was evident that the boa would
go on with his meal for he was now
interested in the proceedings. Within
a half hour he reached, if snake can
reach, and gathered puppy dog No.
to the folds, and in the same way as
in the case Of No. | the life was
crushed out of the second victim And
in the same way, and over the same
route, the second puppy went to
cavern, but not to the same one. The
first half moved further along in the
snakes peculiar anatomy, leaving
plenty of room for the second INSTALL
ment. Yesterday there were two big
in plain evidence, show
ing the exact status of the pups, and
they will be there for a few days yet.
Yesterday John Robinson was at the
gardens, and he was glad to hear of the |
snake feeding. He wants him to eat !
some more while he is in the mood |
With this in view, he will to-day send |
two more puppies to the Zoo. hoping
that the snake will gorge himself we'll |
and good.
Since his meal the boa has been |
rather quiet Like a man who has |
gorged himself, he seems inclined to |
sleep it off, though he has by no means
been entirely motionless. He knows |
what is going on all the time. and he |
is not in any better humor simply be- |
cause he has been fed. - Cincinnati |
Commercial Tribune.