The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-19
ALL ABOUT SNAKES.
ARE A GREAT NUISANCE IN sOMP
PARTS OF THE SOUTH.
Prefer the Habitations of Men-Sons<
of Them Are Better MOusers Than
Cats or DoEs-Habits and Methods.
From the Chicago Trib

of Them Are Better MOusers Than
Cats or DOgs-Habits and Methods.
From the Chicago Tribune.
Snakes, like the English sparrow, have
a decided penchant for the habitations Of
men. In the swamp regions of the South
where abounds what is commonly known
as the highland moccasin, the deadliest OF
its species, the serpent chooses for its
home the dry places beneath the resi-
dences of the people. The soil is so moist,
and quicksands so numerous, that cellars
are out of the question. The moisture
of the air calls for free ventilation under
the low-pitched floors, which stand scarce
ly eighteen inches above ground. For this
purpose small holes, usually the size Of
a single brick, are left at short distances
in the surface foundations. and it is by
these ports that the ophidIans find ingress
and egress.
Thence they sally forth to their feeding
grounds, not disdaining in their journeys
to and fro to visit the chicken houses in
quest Of eggs. and they have been known
to swallow a baby chicken now and then.
Their ordinary food, however is rats,
mice, small lizards, beetles and bugs of
various kinds grubs. etc.
Did they confine their habitation to the
under part of the houses the human dwell
ers might accept the situation with
measure of equanimity; but they seek
much closer association with men. One
encounters them in the halls, on the stair
ways and in the various rooms of the
building. If one be nervous, he is slow
to enter darkened room and cast him
self upon lounge, or easy chair, because
next TO hiding place beneath pilio v,
or bed covering, moccasins most affect
these coy spots of rest. If seen and
awakened, they are prompt to glide down
and make their way out, for they have
an intuitiye perception that they are by
no means welcome; but the consequences
might be fatal were one to sit or lie down
upon one of these sinister creatures. This
has happened not infrequently, and woe
to that man or that woman through whom
the offense came, if they have not a pen-
tiful supply of whiskey, the one accepted
antidote, ready to hand.
Looking for Intruders.
In that portion of the world the woman
who retres for the night looks, not like
her sister ST the North, for a burglar
beneath the bed, but for a reptile intruder
beneath the pillow or coverlid. There one
has to guard against lifting the family
wash, or a rug, or any other thing, be-
meath, or within or up which a snake
may conceal itself. Besides one is con-
tinually bobbling up in the most uneXpect-
ed of places, kissing, coiled and ready
TO strike. OF course, constant warfare is
made upon the reptiles; but they are pro-
life, and no amount of persecution can
drive them away from man, their constant
and relentless foe.
There is little doubt they might be cas-
lily domesticated and readily form attach
ment for man. The prejudice of the lat
ter, however, coupled with his we'll
grounded fear of the poison concealed be-
meath its fangs, will prove always bar
to such intimacy.
Adders, vipers and black snakes likewise
affect the habtations of men. The bites
of these, however are rarely fatal. In
deed it is doubtful if a well-authenticated
case of death from the poison of the last
named has been found This agile rep
tile, which belongs really TO the constrlc-
tor family, is ugly in the season of love
March and April-and may infict at that
time a wound that is intensely painful
and slow of healing. 1t, however, has no
poison sac and no fangs. Vipers and adj
ders belong to the family of venomous
reptiles. and their wounds are to be dread
ed always They seek the closet, the side
board, pantry and kitchen, rather than
the sitting and the sleeping rooms, but
may be found in any part of the house.
The adder especially chooses the fodder
stack and fodder loft, and men are struck
frequently in the hand by it when en-
gagged in drawing out their provender for
the horses.