The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-02-10
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very unsatisfactory as pets, for the
reason that they have no psychologi-
cal nature" said a scientist now con-
nected with Harvard University.
During six years residence in the
West he made close study of snakes
and their ways. Having them in his
study unconfned and about his prem
ises in numbers, he became familiar
with them.
The wisdom of the serpent he pro-
nounces a myth, though he admits
that snakes have much cunning, are
willy to degree and perfectly under
stand their power and limitations.
For example, rattlesnake does not
retreat in haste when disturbed. Real
izing that its bite ends the game, it is
invariably deliberate, but if left to
itself in its own good time it makes of. Z.
Other venomous snakes also recede
slowly, understanding as does the rat
tier, that they are equal to most ener-
gencics. Contrary to the common no.
tion, snakes are not hostile to man.
The most venomous and powerful
will run from man if possible. 1t is
only in self-defence that any poison
Gus snake strikes.
That a rattlesnake rattles to give
warning of its presence is popular
fallacy. 1t really does nothing of the
kind. The tails of all snakes quiver
when they are excited and therefore
the rattle is heard when disturbed.
Why it has rattles on its tail no one
has been able to find out.
1t would be, according to this stu
dent of snakes, quite absurd to con-
clude that the handsome, indepen-
dent, husky rattlesnake is instinctively
or otherwise considerate of others in
giving warning of its presence. As
are all snakes, it is simply negative
in its attitude toward others, save
when the instinct of self-preservation
is aroused, when it becomes positive
in lf-defence.
The chief difference between the
ways of a poisonous snake and of one
whose bite is no worse than the sting
of a mosquito, is in the deliberate
withdrawal of the one and the hasty
retreat of the other in case of danger.
The large majority of snakes are
quite harmless and slip away with all
speed at the approach of either hu-
man being or an animal, knowing
that the ability to conceal themselves
is their one means of preservation.
While not crediting snakes with
wisdom, it is stated that in many
ways they are the reverse of stupid.
They are very curious, and when they
can do so without danger to them
selves, they examine an unfamiliar
object with keen and repeated atten-
tion.
1t is related by this scientist that in
attempting to capture water snake
he put his foot on it in the soft ooze
at the creek side, but failed to hold it.
To see what the snake would do, he
stood perfectly still, and in few mo-
ments it came back and, swimming
slowly round and round his foot, ex-
amined it most carefully, not, as
might be supposed, by looking at il,
but by touching it at every point with
its tongue, not once, but again and
again.
The quick thrusting out and draw
ing in of the tongue is snakes way
of finding out what things about it
mean. The tongue is its most i'm
portant sense organ. 1t really has
very little sensation elsewhere, and
those that are most poisonous can, if
not restrained or hurt, be moved
about with impunity.
Yet those who handle and study
snakes constantly invariably hold
them by the back of the neck, as a
cat does kitten, and both seize and
liberate them with alacrity. Before
they are seized the rule is to keep out
of striking distance, which is one
third the length of the snake.
In the college town where these
studies of snakes were made the antip-
athy and horror with which they are
ordinarily regarded 20 longer pre-
walls. On one occasion city visitor
at the scientists house announced in
terror that there was snake on the
steps of the porch.
Eyes, it's summing ITSELF" her host
ess replied easily. 81 often fear some
one will step on it. For several years
it has been about the grounds. 1t is
quite harmless, though occasionally
it captures and devours young rob-
in. Snakes are so very fond of birds,
and they require live food"
For some years large pilot snake,
picked up on a Michigan prairie and
named Daisy, was almost constantly
with this man, who, to know snakes,
made companions of them. Often it
wound itself about his arm and it
seemed to like being there.
The dainties that snakes love he
provided and he constantly bestowed
on Daisy such care and attention as
was calculated to win snakes affec-
tions. The only result was that Daisy
grew quite unafraid seemed to pre-
fer to take food from his hand and
made no effort to escape, which was
all that could be expected from crea-
ture which has no affection for its
young. Many snakes spurn their off
spring from the first, others keep
about with them for a week, giving
them pointers as to how to get on in
the world, and then leave them to
shift for themselves.
Daisy when left to its own diver
sions followed the instinct which gives
its kind the name of pilot snake, and
would make excursions up the sup
ports of porches and the sides of a
house or room, but was quite willing
10 be captured and carried about. In
the fall it descended to the cellar, and
winding itself up in tight coil hiber'
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