The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-24
BOLD snake GUARDIANS
periis of Reptile Keepers in the
Bronx Park Zoo.
Not Afraid to Enter Cages of tue
-ost Vicious Scrpcnts-The Ways
They Have of Avoiding Attacis-A
Social Python Among the Crawling
Company Dealing With C"brns.

branch oil Dig zoo 90 inc h4eii h~NeSs's1 's
undergo such dangers as in the reptile
department, where numerous deadly
snakes are among their charges. The bite
OF many OF these reptiles means death
within few houIs-a terrible death, I'M
less the most energetic measures are
taken and the requisite antidotes be N
immediate reach.
In the Bronx Park Zoo the reptiles are
exhibited in great glass fronted ca es.
OF these there are nineteen which must De
entered by small iron dCo. il the rear,
as the big glass fronts are lmnoVap {.
And in these cages are rattlesnakes, cop
perheads and moccasins, specimens OF the
deadly fer-de-lance, ella monsters, ana.
besides these venomous cieatures, con-
strictors of enormous girih and power'
which could crush a mans body with the
same facility as the great coils break tie
bones of the unfortunate antelope that
nourishes them in the wilds. In the cases
with all these creatures the Keepers
Snyder and Dahl-enter with noncha-
lance surprising TO spectators
Are YOU not afraid TO 90 in there
was the question put to Snyd=r as ne pre-
pared to enter cage containing three BIG
rattlesnakes, which were sounding s.n-
lister warning from within.
"Oh, no. was the reply. Il cover the
snakes with a couple Of blankets, and they
don't disturb me-"
Sliding back the door the young fellow
was greeted with the sound OF the whlrr
from the serpent's rattles.
That big fellow is an ugly brute" said
Snyder pointing to a green and yellow
coil. from which a fat head lunged sud-
denly. He bites everything in sight when
he gets mad, and sometimes bites the other
snakes. but they are immune to each 9TH
er's poison. After crowded days in the
park, when large numbers OF people pass
this fellows cage, the glass is smeared
with his poison in a dozen places where
he has struck at some gayly colored dress
or bonnet. We have to be careful in wash
Ing it of. for ii mingles with the water,
and should even small portion of 1t enter
a cut the result is apt TO be serious.
Throwing a blanket over this dangerous
brute and its companions, Snyder entered
the cage. From under the blanket, the
rafting of the snakes continued. Sudden
ly smaller reptile coiled in the branches
of tree. but a few inches from the keep
er's head sounded its rattle.
Hes all right said the snake keeper.
as he vigorously scrubbed the glass. II
never knew him to strike yet We raised
that fellow, and he only rattles to show
or
And down the line of cages, entering
each one, some of then, containing the
most deadly of reptiles, went the keepers
of the reptile house. Their only protec-
ton was couple of blankets from under
which the animals could have glided at
will. But the most dangerous part of his
work SO IL seems to the visitor, are the
mems duties in the big pythons' cage.
Here are three giants of the reptile t.ibe.
Sultana, twenty-five feet; Fatima twenty
two feet, and Czarina. which is probably
the largest snake in captivity. This rep
tile measures twenty-seven feet and four
inches. Her weight is nearly 225 pounds.
The first part of the operation OF attend
ing these monsters is the emptying OF
their bath tub. This is a zinc tank about
five feet long by four feet wide. The
same has depth of about six inches. One
or more of the snakes is always lying in
this receptacle. Sometimes the masses of
reptilian flesh are packed in so tightly that
little water remains. On entering the cage
the keeper provides himself with blanket.
This be pushes ahead of him on long
pole. 1t is thrown over the top of the
tank and he advances toward the snakes.
In the meantime, he must keep a shsrp
lookout for the other snakes. The iri-
descent Sultana generally ro5sts in the top
most branches of the big cedar tree in
the cage from which she takes delight
in making long drives at her keepers.
Another keeper goes into the cage with
the first to look after the snakes in the
trees and various corners. They are COW
cred with blankets and mus; be constantly
watched. for their inquisitive natures lead
them TO peep from under their coverings
at frequent intervals When the first
keeper reaches the bath tub. which is gen.
orally done after lodging several playful
sallies from the smaller boas. which are
left uncovered, he lifts up one corner of
the blanket and looks carefully beneath
81 10 discover the Whereabouts of The
snakes heads. This act is sometimes ac-
companied by a lunge from one of the
snakes, sending the blanket sailing up
ward A little diplomatic maneuvring is
then necessary.
Discovering at last, to his satisfaction,
the position of the snake, the keeper
thrusts his hand between scaly coils TO
the bottom of the tank, and pulls out the
plug. thus letting out the water. At the
came time stream of tepid water flows
in from one side. This continues for about
ten minutes, when the plug is again
dropped into its place, and the tank re-
fills. The last thing 10 be done before
leaving the python's cage is TO spray 1t
with hose which emits a fine mist of
tepid water. This produces the heavy at
mosphere necessary for the big reptiles.
The blankets have already been hauled
entering other cages.
Not all the big snakes in the reptile
house are dangerous. There are several
individual reptiles which the men treat
with real affection. One OF these tray-
eled with a circus for nearly five years.
during which time its cold ophidian brain
seemingly acquired a knowledge of the
show business. The snake is an anacon-
da about eleven feet long. When its
cage is opened and its keeper starts 10
clean its tank the reptile invariably glides
toward him. and coiling about his neck
and shoulders. remains there until the
operation is over. The animal has been
in the reptile house for many months
and though belonging 10 q species gen.
orally credited with a hostile nature has
never evinced an inclination to bite. 1t
allows itself to be handled by the men
in the building with the utmost good ma
ture, but glides nervously from the hands
of stranger.
Another show snake" that is enumerat-
ed among the pets of the building is
Teddy" an imperial python from West
Africa. This big fellow was given TO the
park by Mile. Olga, the snake charmer,
and seems TO delight in being sociable for
on crowded days, instead OF retiring to
the rear of the cage, as do many of the
other snakes. it coils itself close to the
glass, keeping its bright eyes fastened on
the crowds OF spectators.
Passing down the row OF cages contain
ing these various reptiles the keepers ar
rive at the last This contains the king
cobras. the most dangerous snakes in the
building. No man is allowed 10 enter this
cage. In the keepers room q special no.
tice commands the greatest caution in
looking after these deadly creatures. Each
measures over twelve feet. AS the visitor
behind the scenes approaches the iron door
rnenfnn infn The cnfrae, CAGE he Is greet