CHAPTEE XXII 



INTELLIGENCE OF REPTILES TRAINING ALLIGATORS 



THE STORY OF SELIMA DO SNAKES SWALLOW 



THEIR YOUNG ? GIANT TORTOISES — THE LAST SUR- 

 VIVORS OF THE REPTILIAN AGE 



In this final chapter the writer seeks to describe 

 odd phases of reptile life, the intelhgence of these 

 creatures and how it is shown, and the peculiar char- 

 acteristics observed in the case of several particularly 

 interesting specimens. 



As a rule, reptiles show no great amount of intel- 

 ligence. Devoid of affection, their interest in the 

 person who cares for them is prompted either by ap- 

 petite or hostility. With a view of experimenting 

 upon the intelligence of large saurians, and inciden- 

 tally devising more convenient feeding measures, 

 a collection of big alligators at the reptile house 

 was put through a course of training. Instead 

 of havino- their fish and meat thrown into the bia* 

 tank, where they could devour it at leisure, the 

 food was offered from the edo^e of the tank bv the 

 keepers. The intention was to teach them to take 

 their food from the men. In this way the supply of 



food could be regulated, and feeding-time would 



"205 



