26 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [14:1— Jan., 1918 



close-fitting glass front that may be easily raised or lowered. The 

 cage needs no fittings save a small, shallow water dish. A little 

 testing will show at what part of the room the best light will be had 

 on the interior with the lowered glass. But it need not remain 

 absolutely stationary. A strong light is not necessary. Sunlight 

 will be appreciated by the snake. Temperature should be as even 

 as possible; precautions should be taken to safe-guard the snake 

 against extreme cold, though it will survive successfully a rather 

 wide temperature range. 



It goes without saying that the cage should be cleaned daily. 

 This is not a long, arduous or unpleasant task, in fact, the teacher 

 may turn it to his, or her, advantage: The chances are that 

 timidity will be felt by some of the pupils at first; however, a 

 "courageous" boy will not only be glad of a chance to become a 

 "hero" and so accomplish the desired end, but his action will help 

 other pupils to overcome their fears. Later, some sort of a 

 Johnnie's-turn-today-and-Willie's-turn-tomorrow system may be 

 devised. The snake will not suffer by the Saturday and Sunday 

 closing. Fresh water should be supplied daily, the usual amount 

 increased each Friday evening. 



Feeding may present the only problem, but this is unlikely. It 

 is most probable that snakes kept for such purposes will readily 

 eat and do well in captivity. The specimen will take food twice 

 or three times a week ; Monday, Wednesday and Friday it may be 

 offered. The engulfing process will be found most interesting and 

 instructive. At first the feeding had best be done early or late, 

 without an audience until the new home is adopted. Small 

 rodents, toads and frogs will make an excellent diet for almost any 

 snake, but they must be offered alive. The boy snake-food-catcher 

 is sure to be another "hero." Here another natural history topic 

 seldom met with in schools is brought to the front. It will be seen, 

 and can be pointedly explained, why certain animals (rodents) are 

 pests and why the snake is a friend by his eating them. Should the 

 specimen refuse food it will do well for an indefinite period anyway. 

 After snake acquaintance is made through the first specimen, very 

 likely it will be changed for one of another species, and so on as long 

 as the neighborhood species hold out. 



Almost any variety of snake, with the exception of the species of 

 the two families mentioned, will serve as captive specimens for 

 study equally well. If possible a snake with strong or unique 



