CHAPTER XIX 



THE CAKE OF REPTILES IN CAPTIVITY ECCENTRICITY 



OF APPETITE FASTING OF POISONOUS SNAKES — HOW 



THE BIG PYTHON WAS SAVED CANNIBAL SNAKES 



NOVEL METHOD OF FEEDING THE KING COBRA — 



MALADIES OF CAPTIVE REPTILES 



Compared with warm-blooded creatures, the care 

 of reptiles is eccentric in the extreme. Most impor- 

 tant to be considered is temjjerature. All reptiles, 

 including the great tropical serpents, flourish in a 

 temperature of from 75° to 85° F. Species from 

 temperate climes live well in a temperature of 70°, 

 but none remains active or in " good feeding " in a 

 lesser degree of heat. 



Among reptiles the most difficult forms to keep 

 in good health are the snakes. Possessed with appe- 

 tites which make them unique among cold-blooded 

 creatures, their care taxes the brain of the most ex- 

 parienced keeper as he strives frequently to keep 

 valuable specimens from deliberately starving in the 

 midst of plenty. 



All snakes swallow their prey entire, aided by the 

 elastic mechanism of their jaws. Different species 

 kill their prey in various ways. The constricting 



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