Zoology.'] NATUEAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Reptiles. 



This is by far the largest snake in Victoria, but, like all the family 

 Pi/thonidcB, or Rock Snakes, is perfectly harmless ; all the teeth being 

 small and solid, without groove or canal, and no poison gland being 

 developed. Seven or eight feet is the largest size usually found, 

 but individuals of ten feet long have been seen. The pattern of the 

 coloring is very variable, but has some resemblance to some of the 

 commoner sorts of Kidderminster carpets, as suggested by the 

 popular name of Carpet Snake applied to it for many years in 

 Victoria and New South Wales. The name Carpet Snake is, 

 unfortunately, applied to the poisonous Tiger Snake in Tasmania, 

 producing some confusion which the publication of recognizable 

 figures of the two will obviate in future. 



The Carpet Snake feeds on small quadinipeds, and poultry and 

 other birds of similar size, which it crushes to death by winding 

 round them before swallowing ; catching them at night. The Carpet 

 Snake, like the American Boa, can hang by the short prehensile 

 tail coiled round a branch, with the two little leg-like spurs acting 

 in opposition to effect a grasp or firm hold. 



Not found in the cooler southern parts of the colony, but becoming 

 common towards the northern Murray boundary. 



Explanation or Figiires. 



Plate 13. — Fig. 1, specimen, one-fifth the natural size. Fig. la, head, side view, natural 

 size. Fig. li, top of head, natural size. Fig. Ic, front view of snout, natural size. Fig. Irf, inner 

 view of mouth, showing rows of teeth on the jaws and palate. Fig. le, inner view of lower jaw, 

 showing the tongue with its sheath and the teeth on lower jaw. Figs. 1/ and Ig, first palatine 

 tooth, natural size, and magnified. Fig. l/i, base of tail, showing small abdominal spurs. Fig. li, 

 spur, magnified. Fig. \k. scales, natural size. 



Frederick McCoy. 



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