CARE OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS — WALKER 361 



WALL LIZARDS (Lacertidae). Insectivorous. Some are cannibalistic. 

 Feed insects, meat, boiled eggs, and lettuce. 



GEKRHOSAURUS (Gerrhosauridae). Presumably insectivorous. Try meal- 

 worms, waxworms, small mice, and lettuce. 



SKINKS (Scincidae). Feed insects, worms, slugs, meat, and fruit. Tlie 

 stump-tailed lizard is known to eat meat, lizards, and snakes. The smaller 

 species are satisfied with insects and slugs. 



ANELYTROPSIS (Anelytropidae). Feeding habits not known to the author. 



DIBAMUS (Dibamidae). Blind, subterranean. Try enchytrae, earthworms, 

 and soft insects. Provide earth in which it can burrow. 



CHAMELEONS (Chamaelontidae). Feed grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, flies. 

 Provide plants or limbs on which the animal may climb. 



SHINISAURUS (Shinisauridae). Feeding habits not known to the author. 



SNAKES (SUBOKDEJa SEEPENTES) 



BLIND SNAEHE or WORM SNAKE (Typhlopidae). Burrows. Feed earth- 

 worms, enchytrae, soft insects, mealworms, fly larvae, maggots, and waxworms. 

 Provide earth in which it can burrow. 



BLIND SNAKE or WORM SNAKE (Leptotyphlopidae). Same habits as 

 Typhlopidae. 



SHIELD-TAILED SNAKE (Uropeltidae). Burrows. Feed on earthworms, 

 enchytrae, and insect larvae. 



SUN-RAY SNAKE (Xenopeltidae). Eats other snakes. Provide earth for 

 burrowing. 



BOAS and PYTHONS (Boidae). Feed mice, rats, rabbits, pigs, pigeons, and 

 ciickens. Some will eat other reptiles. 



ANILIUS (Anilidae). Eats other snakes. Provide earth in which to burrow. 



COLUBRID SNAKES ( Colubridae) . About 1,200 different species. This family 

 includes most of the harmless snakes, as well as venomous rear-fanged serpents. 

 Feed mice, rats, small birds, eggs, insects, frogs, toads, and fish. 



COBRAS, CORAL SNAKES, KRAITS (Elapidae). Feed mice, rats, birds, 

 snakes. The coral snake eats smaller snakes and baby mice. 



SEA SNAKES (Hydrophidae). These snakes inhabit tropical seas. Feed eels 

 or strips of fish. Keep in tanks of warm salt water. 



CHUNK-HEADED SNAKES (Amblycephalidae). Feed snails and slugs. If 

 these are not available, try mealworms, waxworms, baby mice, and meat. 



TRUE VIPERS (Viperidae). Feed mice, small rats, and small birds. 



RATTLESNAKES, WATER MOCCASINS, COPPERHEADS, FER-DE-LANCE, 

 P.USHMASTER (Crotalidae). Feed mice, small rats, small birds. Moccasins 

 also take fish. 



AMPHIBIANS 



Amphibians are cold-blooded but do not require such high temperatures as 

 reptiles and cannot endure drying conditions, for their skin is moist and evapora- 

 tion takes place rapidly. They will dry up and die if they do not have water, 

 mud, moist vegetation, or other similar materials in which to harbor. Tempera- 

 tures for salamanders generally should not exceed 90°, and many of these animals 

 thrive best under temperatures of about 70°. Some will remain active in tem- 

 peratures as low as 40°, but below that point will become torpid, as for hibernation. 

 Shade is necessary. 



