The Washington times., 1901-08-25

lowing their young to protect them Is
says Curator Ditmars.- a myth pure and
simple Snakes-that is, male snakes
have been known to swallow their young,
but less to get them out of a danger
real or imaginary, than to furnish them
selves with good, square meal. This
has been proved several times by expert
ences in the reptile house OF all the
snakes that were ever swallowed there to
get them out OF harms way, not one has
reappeared up to date.
Every day now it is expected that
brood of chicken snakes will add them
selves to the collection in the snakehouse
Seven weeks ago five chicken snakes de
scended from their cage tree and began
mysterious operations in the sand under
the water pan in their cage. The snakes
were watched closely, and it was found
that they had scooped a nest in the sand
few days later twenty seven eggs were
found deposited In the moist spot. The
eggs were of the size OF pigeons eggs. but
were not covered with shell. In time
they began to grow, becoming bumpy and
of the size of hens eggs. The young in
side the eggs are provided with an egg
TOOTH very sharp and tiny tooth fas-
tened to the lower lip. With this they
cut their way to freedom as soon as they
are strong enough to appear in public.
In the case of the chicken snakes the diff
ference between the young and the old
snakes Is most marked. The adult snake
is yellow, with long dark-brown bands.
The young ones will be pinkish. but in
time will assume the colors of their par
ents
Last summer there appeared at the rep
tile house among the snakes intended for
the conmissary department a freakish
brood of youngsters. Out of one batch of
forty-seven young ones that appeared
four were perfect albinos and one was
provided with two heads. Nothing like
these snakes had ever been seen. and
great care was taken to keep them alive,
especially the two-headed fellow. He was
removed at once from the cage with his
fellows and given an especial den of his
own. There he rested on moist blotting
paper, and the officers OF the entire 20
illogical Society did everything possible
to keep the life within the precious one.
But he refused to gladden. the hearts of
his keepers, and was found dead one
morning.
The albinos. snow white with pink eyes.
thrived fairly well for long while. In
an adjoining cage was a pair of copper
neaus One nlSnl seven young Teu auu-
ers" Unexpectedly appeared. Even before
the little fellows were known to have ar
rived they had wriggled through the
screen separating the cages and stung
the albinos to death. 1t is hoped that by
watching carefully the extensive breed
ing of the garter snakes the freak brood
may repeat itself.
Another successful culture in the rep
. la Of five atIi 81
winter Mr.. Ditmars went to South Caro-
lima to hunt in the swamps of that State
for reptiles of all descriptions. Among
many specimens he secured was a nest of
thirty-six alligator eggs. These he brought
to the park. where he succeeded in hatch
ing out five of the lot. the rest, 1t is sup
posed, having been injured during the trip
up from the South. But the five young
sters are now at the park. tiny. bark
skinned, yellow-eyed fellows, with a baby
curiosity for all that is strange and with
no clear conception as to where they are.
anyway.-New York Times.