ii8 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



nearly all belonged to the former. The Indian Python is 

 a hardy snake, feeding at a comparatively low temperature, 

 and is consequently imported in fairly large numbers. 

 Its eggs were successfully hatched in Hagenbeck's 

 Menagerie, the period of incubation extending over two 

 months ; the young snakes, measuring as much as two 

 feet in length, made use of their broken egg-shells as 

 nests, returning to them when tired of crawling about, 

 or when disturbed. 



The Common African Python, P. sehce^ ranging over 

 the whole of tropical Africa, somewhat resembles P. 

 molurus in coloration ; the markings, however, take the 

 form of wavy cross bands, connected by a dark band along 

 each side of the body. This snake, which grows to a 

 length of twenty feet, is very hardy, and is able to withstand 

 very prolonged fasts, a specimen in the Jardin des Plantes 

 refusing all food during its captivity, a period of nearly 

 three years. It is hunted for in many parts of Africa, 

 where grilled python is considered a delicacy. The 

 colonists misname it " Boa constrictor." 



The Royal Python, P. regius, is a small form, seldom 

 exceeding six feet in length, restricted to the Western and 

 Eastern Sudan. The upper surface of the head is dark 

 brown, with a very pale black-edged streak along each side, 

 which passes through the eye ; a dark brown, black-edged 

 band, enclosing numerous round or oval light spots, 

 occupies the back, sending down triangular markings on 

 the sides, which are much paler. Unlike other members 

 of the genus this python is, as a rule, very good tempered, 

 freshly captured specimens, when handled, making no 

 .attempt to bite, merely hiding their heads under the coils. 



