Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-10-04
Pig A SNAKE CHARMER
he JUST LOOKS BOA CON-
sTRlcToR IN EYE.
Zoo Guinea Thus Saves His Life
Then Calls on Lizard, Who Never
Did Care for Him-Aoain
His Glare Wins.

New York.-A very fat guinea pig.
fluffy ball Of white and brown, with
snappy little beads OF eyes that gaze
out upon the world fearlessly, has
furnished Raymond l.. Ditmars, cura'
tor OF the Geological park IN the
Bronx, and Charley Snyder, his as
sistant, with another interesting puz-
gle. which they are still far from SOW
Ing. The guinea pig was one OF =
fast increasing group which are from
time to time killed of to replenish the
snakes bill Of fare. The act which
lifted this particular pig above the
others Of the family and brought 1t to
the attention of Curator Ditmars and
Snyder occurred when several days
ago he managed to get into the In
closure Of two hungry boa constructors
and not only lived but so liked his
experience that he sought further ad-
venture in the retreat Of the eight
foot monitor lizard.
The little animal was kept IN
from at the north side of the reptile
house, and back Of the glass front
Enclosures containing the various
members OF the snake family. 1t was
feeding time for certain Of the big
snakes, and Snyder. with supply OF
fresh killed guinea pigs and rats, was
In the narrow passageway back Of
the snake house feeding several In
dian rattlers. The little brown and
white pig, which had become accus'
toned to his quarters, wandered out
into the space where the keeper was
working. The little animal was very
inquisitive, but Snyder gave him no
more than passing attention.
He gave the rattlesnakes their al"
lowance of food and stood for few
minutes watching them in the process
of slowly swallowing their portions.
Then he turned to the door Of the boa
constructor cage, and as he opened it
he saw q sight which filled him with
surprise. In some way the guinea
pig had climbed up to the cage and
gained entrance to it.
Both snakes were hungry, for 1t
had been several days since they had
been fed, and one OF their especial
delicacies is guinea pig. Yet neither
had made any attempt to eat up the
fearless visitor, and when Snyder
caught sight Of the little animal he
was in a comfortable position along
side the tail Of the longest snake.
The other snake, half coiled, he
said, was regarding the pig with In
terest mixed with amaZement. The
guinea pig appeared to be content
and was sitting, regarding the half
coiled snake with a steady stare.
Evidently stimulated by his adven.
ture in the boa constructor cage, the
pig went hunting more the day after
his visit to the snakes. This time 1t
| got into the SUN room at the east end
of the reptile house. In this room
are the reptiles that are sick in the
process of shedding their skins
When Mr. Ditmars heard Of this
second visitation. the pig was en-.
deavoring to make friends with the
big monitor lizard. Now, the lizard
feeds upon eggs, which 1t bolts. shells
and all, and it does not feel amiably
disposed toward guinea pigs or rats.
When discovered the little animal
was sitting comfortably in front OF
the lizard, regarding it with steady
look that was returned with interest
! by the reptile When Ditmars ap-
preached the lizard ambled forward,
changing it's course so as to move
around the guinea pig.
The whole affair was SO extraordi-
nary that Mr.. Ditmars and his assist
ant are giving much study to 1t. Why
two hungry snakes should refuse
such a tempting morsel as brown
and white guinea pig, and not only
reject him as an appetite satisfler,
but show a desire to make friends
with him, is so contrary to the natu-
raj course OF events that both men
are seeking a reason. Snyder inclines
to the belief that the guinea pig pos
sesses what he calls a hypnotic eye
and that In this the snakes recog-
nized one Of their own kind, and the
lizard also found in the pigs stare
an all-compelling force.