278 THE VIVARIUM. 
the tails of the lizards given him for food, without further attack- 
ing them; nor, if tailless lizards were put to him, would he 
attempt to devour them.” 
It is said that when the Smooth Snake is handled it generally 
shows a readiness to bite, especially when first caught. I must 
confess, however, that this does not agree with my own ex- 
perience. Though I have owned from time to time many of these 
interesting little Snakes, I have never possessed one which 
showed any inclination to resent being touched. I was mention- 
ing this fact one day toa keeper of a Reptile-house, when he at 
once said: ‘‘We have one here that will bite you quickly 
enough.”” And I asked if I might try it. It was accordingly 
taken from its case, and soon was persuaded to seize, with its 
teeth, the keeper’s finger. I then took the Reptile in my hands, 
and attempted to make it bite me, but it steadily refused to do 
so. ‘“‘That’s queer,” said the keeper, as he regained possession 
of the animal, and once more was successful in obtaining a bite, 
this time so sharp a one that the blood flowed fairly freely from 
the small wounds. I therefore made a second endeavour to get 
bitten, and though I tried with considerable perseverance, could. 
not prevail upon the little creature to even open its mouth. 
There were many interested witnesses of my fruitless essays. 
Why I was unsuccessful, Ido not know. My failures, however, 
endorsed my assertion that the Smooth Snake is not nearly so 
fierce a reptile as it is generally reported to be. It cannot be 
with Snakes as it is with gnats, midges, and the well-known 
insects of the genus Pulex, which will with pertinacity and 
appetite attack some people and leave others entirely alone. But, 
however, it is surprising that when one shows an indifference to 
bites, as he handles Snakes, how very seldom indeed he is bitten. 
The Smooth Snake is a hardy little animal, and has the power, 
when in good condition, of fasting for at least a year. The case 
in which it is confined must be carefully made, for the Reptile is 
very clever in squeezing itself through a hole apparently too small 
to receive its body, and so effecting its escape. C. levis, for a 
Snake, can endure a considerable amount of cold. It is supposed 
not to spend so long a time in hibernation as either the Common 
Snake (Z'ropidonotus natrix) or the Viper (Pelias berus). 
