60 THE. SNAIGES, OF SOUTH AFRICA: 
THEIR HAUNTS AND DIET. 
Pythons frequent moist rocky valleys, plantation and bush- 
covered lands, and are rarely found far from water. Their prin- 
cipal diet is birds, mammals, such as Dassies, Hares, Cane Rats, 
the smaller antelopes, monkeys, etc. 
Along the coastal districts of Natal there are extensive sugar- 
cane plantations, where these Pythons delight to dwell, as there 
is abundance of food in the shape of Cane Rats, otherwise known 
as Ground Pigs (Thryonomys swinderenianus). These Cane Rats 
attain the size of full-grown Dassies or Rock Rabbits. They are 
not real rats. Their nearest relation is the porcupine. These 
Cane Rats are very destructive to the sugar-cane, so the planter 
regards the Python as his best and most useful ally. 
When seeking food the Python usually lies in ambush in some 
place where animals are likely to pass. When the intended 
victim is within striking distance, the snake lunges forward, seizes 
its startled victim in its jaws, which are armed with fairly large 
re-curved teeth. Then with lightning-like rapidity its body is 
thrown around the terrified, struggling animal, which is rapidly 
crushed to death. 
SWALLOWING THE PREY. 
The snake begins at the head and swallows the body, after the 
manner of other snakes, as previously explained. If the captured 
animal be large, the snake crushes it so effectually that it is 
converted into a sausage-shaped mass, which naturally makes 
the swallowing process ever so much easier. 
During deglutition the salivary glands are very active, and 
an abundance of saliva is excreted which enables the snake to 
swallow the prey with comparative ease. The snake does not, 
however, smear its victim with saliva before starting to swallow 
it. The saliva only comes in contact with the portion of the prey 
which is within the mouth. Sometimes a little escapes from the 
sides of the mouth. Snakes never “slime” their prey previous 
to swallowing it. 
The popular belief that snakes cover their prey with a slimy 
secretion previous to proceeding to swallow it, is incorrect. 
What evidently gave rise to this belief, is the custom of snakes 
to disgorge their prey if irritated or alarmed. Naturally the 
