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oS 
THE SNAKES OF BANGKOK. 183 
Distribution. India, Ceylon, Burma, Siam. 
40. Lachesis graminevs. The Conimon Green Pit Viper. 
4 v : af 
Siamese 9 (\DQVW ‘yy or AW WAY (nyu khieo hang mai or 
v 
hang daangq). 
‘“Hang mai,” meaning literally “burnt tail”, refers to the 
rusty coloration upon the tail of this snake. 
It is by far the most common poisonous snake that is to be 
found in Bangkok, frequenting the gardens and plantations everywhere, 
usually arboreal in its habits, but seldom found at any great elevation 
above the ground. One at least, is generally to be seen in the large 
bamboo clump in my compound, and I have had many opportunities of 
watching the habits of these snakes. The same one seldom remains 
there for any length of time ; a few days perhaps, or sometimes a few 
weeks, and then it is gone and another one takes its place. 
They are very sluggish creatures. When discovered they seldom 
endeavour to escape, or even show any signs of alarm, but remain quietly 
in their position, eyeing one steadily. Sometimes one will lift its head 
fiercely, as if protesting at the disturbance. Even when actually dis- 
lodged from their post, they preserve the same calm demeanour, and 
move away in a quiet and leisurely manner. They can, however, be 
extremely fierce, and when once roused will bite furiously. Their 
habits are strictly nocturnal, and they do not move about until 
it is quite dark. On the other hand, they are not particular 
where they lie up during the day, and any shady bough or nook, pro- 
vided it is not actually exposed to the sun, seems to satisfy them. 
After feeding they remain completely at rest until their meal is 
digested, and this may occupy many days One, I remember, remained 
in exactly the same position for 15 days, apparently without moving at 
all. Another one that I watched, lived in a hole in a tree, and when 
hungry and in need of food, could be seen each night outside its home. 
How far afield it went in search of prey I do not know, but | never saw 
it very far away, and in the morning it was back again in the hole. It 
remained in this spot for ten weeks, and then disappeared. 
In captivity these vipers live well, feeding upon mice, frogs and 
lizards, particularly the house gecko. In catching mice, they seize the 
animal if possible across the middle of the back, burying their long 
fangs deeply into the vital parts of the body, I use the word seize, 
