New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-04

/ mospheTe about them and produce disease in those
who inhale their breath. Then the patient at
PENDANTS let the little questioners examine closely
the structure Of these interesting creatures and tell
them all sorts OF delightful stories about their habits
and life history. and the youngsters go away feel
ing as if they had been attending very interest
| Ing sort OF school
Not all snakes are Matched from eggs thew learn
Many species. such the garter snake rattlesnake
and copperhead. never lay eggs. The garter snake
is perhaps the commorest kind. IS perfectly harm
less and often found in parks and house gardens
1t is easily recognized by it's slender body and the
three light yeowsh stripes running along its back
Though IL has many enemies among which are
owls. hawks. ducks. larger snakes and last but not
least, boy with stick. IT multiplies rapidly The
young, unlike most animals. in the fall. and
often garter snake family will include fifty or
sixty tiny wriggling creatures at once.
When leased this snake fattens It's body ele-
Yates its head, darts its tongue and gives forth
a disgusting odor which is protective Sometimes
IT strikes vieoUsly and may even draw blood with
Its needleike teeth but the bite is harmless since
1t causes swelling or after pain.
Snakes are all cold blooded animals. On that
account they become sluggish in late autumn. and.
SEEKING hollow tree or hole in the ground they
crawl into 1t and remain throughout the winter
eating nothing and remaining mo.ionless Garter
snakes seem to like company during their long
winter sleep. Sometimes hundreds crawl into
the same hole and form large mass. On the
first warm spring day they forth from their
or sixteen. discovered sunny April day. upon
being approached did not try to escape but
watched the intruder intently With head and
part OF body erect. turning to right left every
move followed. like soldier standing at at
tertionr' Twelve of the snakes were captured and
are still alive, with many more which have since
been collected FeedinS as;Shis snake does mainly
mails. IL does more good than harm.
The snakes In the museum fed a
on live earthworms. small frogs or toads The
earthwormS placed IN a tin can, aud the
snakes. having become accustomed TO this can
help themselves. When frogs toads are placed
In the cage a scramble Immediately follows Some
times two snakes will get hold OF one frog and
neither will let go. The result is that when the
snakes mouths meet. the larger one will swallow
the smaller one, in addition 90 the frog! Captive
snakes soon become accustomed 10 their surround
ings and do not mind the presence Of people. New
pun their heads back when the cage is approached
closely.
Other Long Island snakes seen here are the
spreading viper, hog nosed snake the hand
some milk snake and the small ground snake
None OF these venomous The milk snake is
usually grayish. with three OF brick-red
black bordered blotches en- the back and sides;
beneath. the body IS checkered with black and
Creamy white II atta.ns a length of three feet.
Inc ground snakes are Of glossy chestnut brown
color above and red or pinkish beneath. They