226 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



mon in the Philippines. P. molurus is distinguished 

 from the Regal Python by the javelin-shaped mark on 

 the top of the head — P. reticulatus having a narrow 

 black line on the top of the head. 



As a captive the Indian Python is at first inclined to 

 be nervous and vicious, resenting all familiarity by hiss- 

 ing and striking. The recurved teeth — the edges flat- 

 tened like a lance — are capable of inflicting ugly lacera- 

 tions. This species, however, particularly the light 

 examples, is susceptible to taming. Some examples be- 

 come extremely docile. Owing to its ability to endure 

 rough handling while traveling without being "thrown 

 off its feed," the species is a general favorite among 

 showmen. Large numbers are captured annually and 

 shipped to various parts of Europe and America, where 

 they arrive in the spring, selling to the shows for the 

 proverbial and favorite "snake charming" act. In this 

 new life the snakes' lazy motions provoke the general 

 belief that the reptiles are drugged or hypnotized by 

 the bespangled enchantress ; but according to the latter's 

 ideas — and snake charmers take a really sympathetic 

 interest in their serpents — they are simply "well broken" 

 specimens. They are cared for with the same tenderness 

 as so many children. Each has a name, and when the 

 big show packs up for the night, the snakes are tucked 

 in many thicknesses of blankets to protect them from 

 jar or chilling. Under these conditions they live for 

 years, becoming actually affectionate. It is not unusual 

 to find a specimen peevishly refusing to take food from 

 any but the hand of its mistress. 



In proportion to its length the Indian Python is a 

 thick-bodied snake, with quite a small head — the small 

 head relating particularly to the light phase. A coiled 

 specimen, eleven or twelve feet long, looks to be bigger 



