146 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



for days at a time lie coiled in practically the same position. 

 These snakes are fed at intervals of about three weeks apart. 

 The majority of the snakes are fed regularly every week. There 

 are certain species, however, which exhibit such activity that 

 they require food every three or four days. The lizards, the 

 majority of which are continually frisking about during the day, 

 are fed at frequent intervals, the smaller species daily, the moni- 

 tors and their allies twice a week. 



As an example of the variety and quantity of food consumed 

 by the reptiles in a year's time, the following list enumerates 

 what was used in the Reptile House during the past year : 



1,775 Rats, 272 Rabbits. 



About an equal number of mice. 312 Guinea Pigs. 



1,456 Englisii Sparrows. About 18.000 Mealworms. 

 624 Small Chickens. " 25,500 Live Fish, 



208 Large Chickens. " 2,000 Toads. 



210 Pigeons. *' 2,000 Frogs. 



1,300 Eggs. " 2,500 lbs. of Vegetables 



and Fruit. 



Many reptiles are so voracious that to prevent disastrous results, 

 their food must be given them sparingly. Others, on the con- 

 trary, are so abstemious in their feeding that they are persuaded 

 to take nourishment only by the exercise of constant scheming 

 and ingenuity. At times valuable specimens refuse to take food 

 altogether, and would ultimately starve to death unless forcible 

 feeding be resorted to. Among the most voracious feeders in 

 the collection is the King Cobra. We believe that our specimen 

 is the only example of this rare and interesting snake alive in 

 this country. 



The King Cobra is strictly cannibalistic. From the time of 

 the arrival of this reptile at the Park, his appetite has been of 

 the best. Large blacksnakes and similar serpents were preferred, 

 and the cages of those species soon became almost depopulated. 

 Orders for blacksnakes and coachwhip snakes were placed in 

 South Carolina and Florida, but the appetite of the insatiable 

 cobra demanded a supply of snakes far in excess of the returns 

 from outside. Economy was necessary, or the serpent exhibits 

 in the Reptile House would become scanty. The cobra de- 

 manded three snakes per week to keep his eleven feet of active 

 length in good condition. To cut down his fare, however, might 

 endanger the fine condition of the reptile. After due considera- 

 tion, it was decided to try the novel experiment of making one 



