180 A COLLECTOR'S EXPERIENCES 



snakes coil tightly about the victim and quickly 

 squeeze it to death ; the poisonous snakes kill by a 

 stroke from their deadly fangs ; some species, pro- 

 vided with long, hooked teeth in the rear portion of 

 the mouth, seize the quarry in a never-failing hold 

 and swallow it alive, while others, for the most part 

 the large rat snakes of tropical countries, pin their 

 victim firmly to the ground under a portion of their 

 body, during the process of swallowing. These latter 

 snakes have also the habit of violently shaking their 

 prey in much the same manner as a dog treats a rat. 

 In a way, these dilferent methods of feeding apply to 

 the classification of snakes. 



In captivity many snakes evince a remarkable 

 reticence in feeding. Some species, especially the 

 viperine poisonous snakes, often prefer to starve 

 than to take the food offered them. Some of the 

 tropical vipers absolutely refuse to live in captivity, 

 and after exhibiting a remarkable vitality for six 

 months without food, slowly and stubbornly starve 

 themselves to death. The writer has observed in- 

 stances of rattlesnakes having lived seven and eight 

 months without other nourishment than water, yet 

 remaining active and hostile during all this time. 



With captive snakes these starving inclinations are 

 seldom tolerated by their keepers. The food for the 

 reptile is killed and thrust down its throat by force. 

 Some snakes live under this treatment for years. The 

 writer has superintended many operations where badly 

 emaciated specimens were strengthened and finally 

 brought to prime condition through this stuffing pro- 



