The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-01
SNAKES WILL MAKE
FINE HOUSE PETS
Scientists Offer Solution of
Cat Problem
ARE EASILY tanned
In Time Certain Kinds of Snakes Be-
come Very Affectionate and
Delightful Companions
Around the House
BY C. e. STEWART

| washington, July 3l.--(Speclal. )--f'or the
relief of Dr. w. c. Woodward the district
health officer in his war with the owners
| of arlstocratic cats in Washington,
which has been going on for months over
the question of how to keep down the
| supply of rats and mice, and at the same
time stop the back fence feline concerts,
DR. Frank Baker, superintendent of the
zoo, backed by R. L. Ditmars assistant
curator of the New York zoo, and other
animal lovers have, they say. at last
solved the problem.
| Snakes Is the answer. Snakes, they
say will be nice quiet pets around the
house. and may be trained to eat from
your hand At the same time they will
operate quite extensively and convincing
ly on the rats and other disturbers of the
ordinary household. Danish the dogs and
cats from the family circle and substitute
a good. tame black king or gopher snake
they say. srhen peace and quiet will be
restored, nelghborhood quarres will
cease and Poundkeeper Emil Kuhn can
sleep quietly once more"
| Meanwhile the Washington ladies' who
now own the cats, and seem to be stuck
on their pets to the extent of putting up
a very game fight for their retention are.
not nearly so enthusiastic over the sugges-
| ton as the amount of scientific study and
1 care devoted to it would seem to warrant.
| Some even declare that under no circum-
stances will they ever consent to have
| snake around the premises Some folks
are odd about such things. Others scream
when the subject is even mentioned and
| hold up their hands in horror.
Edward Schmidt of Washington, how
| hog da1t oIat tor ybp 10 fft,d Of
snakes, and Mr.. Schmidt himself believes
| that they are the best rat and mice catch
ers obtainable
Snakes are fine mousers," said Mr.
Schmidt, "and are used extensively in
| some parts of the country to take the
place of cats. In Maryland and Virginia
they are frequently used in the country
districts and down in Mexico and the
| southwestern states they are made great
pets of.
BLACK king and gopher snakes are the
best snakes since they are perfectly
harmless and at the same time easily
tanned. They are no bother about the
! house. as they pick up their own food.
They are very affectionate
My daughter is very fond of snakes,
and / remember several years ago we
| kept one around the house. One day |
| was sleeping and woke up with the feel
Ing that something was on my stomach. I
| discovered mat the pet snake was sound
asleep and | really hated to disturb it,
| Ladies who expect to follow the sug-
| gestion of these learned men who have
! devoted much time to the solution of a
very vexing problem which obtains here
| and elsewhere in this country should not
act too hurrieNy in the matter. 1t is
| quite important to get the right kind of
| snake. There arc snakes which have
| foolish way of resenting advances from
even the most charming women. 1t is not
| every snake that one runs across that will
cheerfully take the place OF gold Tom"
or the poodle, and meet all sequirements
Snakes should be carefully trained, too,
not to intrude when one has company We
can imagine of nothing more embarrassing
than having a large snake intent upon the
pursuit of mouse, stick his head out
from under divan among large gather
ing of the Sewing circle" who would
probably have their minds upon other SUBJ
jects.
Taking the suggestion of DR.. Baker as
a whole we are inclined to the opinion that
1t will not meet with the hearty approval
that so worthy an object Is duly entitled.