26 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
increase. Owing to snakes not being so dependent on oxygen 
as the more highly-evolved creatures, they are able to exist 
where most birds of prey and carnivorous animals would die. 
They are, by virtue of their specially modified organism, able to 
penetrate into the morasses, jungles, swamps, and dense over- 
grown vegetation of the tropics where the smaller reptiles swarm 
in vast numbers. These latter reptiles reproduce their kind at 
a very rapid rate, and if not preyed upon by many enemies 
would rapidly become a plague. 
Snakes are active agents in keeping down the numbers of 
these quick-breeding creatures, as well as those pests known as 
rats and mice. Owing to their long tapering bodies, snakes are 
enabled to penetrate into the innermost haunts of these destruc- 
tive rodents and swallow parents and their young. 
Snakes are frequently found in and about the dwellings of 
man, attracted thereto by the presence of rats and mice ; and in 
the autumn they find some cosy place in the thatch, under a 
floor, down a hole, in a stack of timber, dung heap, or fodder, in 
order to hibernate during the winter months. 
ENEMIES. 
Snakes breed very rapidly, and in consequence they, too, 
have many natural enemies. Birds of prey and many of the 
smaller carnivorous animals feed upon their young, and frequently 
attack and devour grown snakes. Many species of snakes are 
cannibals, and do not hesitate to swallow their own young or 
those of others. 
There are several species of mungoose, meercat and muishonds 
in South Africa, all of which readily devour snakes. None of 
them are, however, immune from snake venom. These little 
animals rely upon their quickness and activity in avoiding 
being bitten when attacking a venomous serpent. The nature 
of their hair is also a protection. I have frequently kept the 
different kinds of mungoose and meercats in captivity and 
introduced snakes into their cages. If the cage happened to 
be rather small, the animal would show much alarm, but when 
given a large roomy cage in which to operate, no fear was shown. 
In the ‘“‘Cambridge Natural History’’ volume on Reptiles, it 
