CHAPTER X. 

 REPTILIA. 



FIELD STUDY OF SNAKES. 



FIRST try to rid yourself of prejudice against snakes. It is not 

 necessary to handle them, and poisonous snakes are now rare in 

 most places. If the snake has been frightened by you, try to learn 

 how he became aware of your presence. Was it through sight, 

 hearing, or some other sense ? Is there any plan in his escape ? 

 Does he seek shelter, or simply move away from you? Are his 

 colors such as to aid him in escaping enemies? Why are we 

 usually surprised when we happen upon a snake? Is the snake 

 also surprised? 



Study the snake's mode of locomotion. Have you ever seen 

 the trail made by a snake, as in a dusty road ? Does the nature 

 of the surface make any difference in the ease with which it 

 travels ? Does a snake ever crawl otherwise than in a wavy line ? 



If you happen upon a snake that has not already discovered 

 you, watch it. Try to find out what it is doing. Especially if you 

 find a snake eating, take time to learn how it eats. Does it kill 

 the prey before swallowing it? Does it chew its food? If you 

 kill a snake, or see one killed, where you cannot take it home, 

 find out, if possible, what it has been eating. If the snake is much 

 bulged out at, or in front of, the middle, you may suspect that it 

 has just swallowed a meal. Do snakes " charm " birds? 



Have you ever found a shed skin of a snake? If you find one, 

 bring it to the class. How much of the external markings is 

 shown on the shed skin? Can all snakes swim? If you get a 

 garter, or other snake, not a water snake, and do not wish to keep 

 it, throw it into water to see if it can swim. Will the body of a 



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