The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
A Snake Charmer
Tells Trade Secrets

An industrious snake charmer rehearsing
! behind the scenes OF an East Side ball
paused long enough in his work the other
J day to let out some professional secrets.
He made no pretense 10 hypnotic power
over his sinuous fellow perfo rmers, but
said that everything lay in a close aequaint-
ance with the snakes. After that snake
oharmer must be a person Of eternal vigil
! lance.
He could never be quite sure whata snake
would do. The snake that he had handled
a hundred times with perfect safety might
! turn on him the hundred and first time.
One indication was especially TO be trusted.
A snake, like cat, shows It's anger by
slow movement OF the tail When the tail
be gins to wug the snake charmer must put
aside tho angry serpent and fetch out
another II his lite turn Is to be done with
safety.
This particular snake chamer was
especially slCilful in the handling Of pythons.
The python, acco rding 20 his account OF
the matter, being a constructor, Is usually
held to be non-veno nous, but the bite OF
the python IL to be avoided when the snake
is sheddin & his skin.
At that time the python Is blind from
film that comes over the eyes, film that
is she'd with the cast-ofi skin. In this oon-
dition the creature is extremely nervous
and sensitive, easily provoked 10 anger
and some what venomous.
At other times the python Is 10 be feared
for the blow he strikes. II Is like the kick
Of a mule and no man can stand up against
II. The python strikes a man in the breast
or near the waist. II he IA disabled by the
blow the snake may coil about him and do
him mortal harm.
The snake ohArmer found Il necessary
for success In his business 10 keep three
pythons, and, as they cost from 500 to 5000
each, the business required some outlay OF
capital. He could not safely work with
strange snakes. With three pythons whose
temper he understood he could be pretty
sure Of always having at least one TO work
with.
He had to study the condition Of a snake
before undertaking 10 exhibit II. The
snakes were fed every two weeks and the
snake ohsrmer found that It was unsafe
TO handle them much until three or four
days after their meal
In the early stages Of digestion they re.
quired quiet, and II disturbed were likely
10 disgorge what they had eaten. Il is
serious matter to lose a meal when meals
snake would die from being disturbed
too soon after feeding. II was not difficult
70 replace a snake for New York is an
excellent snake market, but the loss Of
python was a serious matter financially,
and a new snake bad 70 be studied before
II could be publicly exhibited.
The important thing in picking up a snake
was first 10 distract his attention. This
was commonly done by holding a cloth m
front Of the creature. Instantly the eyes
Of the snake wera fxed uf,Cn the cloth and
then was the moment for the snake charmer
70 seize It,
lie must take firm hold Just behind the
head and not FAR enough back 10 permit the
snake 70 turn upon him After that the
snake charTner must be wary, geutle, and
ready upon the slightest sign Of the snakes
anger 70 put the creature back Va his cage
aud get out another. ..----