FEEDING SNAKES ON LIVE ANIMALS. 281 
periods by artificially feeding them, such a plan is not nearly so 
satisfactory as allowing them to kill and eat their food in a natural 
Fic. 112.—The Royal Python (Python regius) of Senegambia and Sierra Leone. 
way. The mortality among artificially fed snakes is great. When 
made to swallow against their will, the food frequently fails to digest, 
putrifies in the alimentary canal, and so poisons the reptile. 
