SNAKES. 



21 



coloured, green being the predominant hue. They feed chiefly on 

 tree-hzards and birds, and are found in all the tropical regions. 

 Bucephalus capensis is from South Africa. 



The Pytliunidoe, or Rock Snakes, are found in the hottest 

 parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia, and attain a very large size 

 (from 8 to 24 feet). They climb as well as swim, most of 

 them preferring the neighbourhood of water. Like the Boas, to 

 which they are closely related, and from which they differ chiefly 

 in the presence of intermaxillary teeth, they overpower their prey 

 by constriction. The Pythons of Africa and Asia and the Morelia 

 of Australia represent this family. 



The Boidce, or Boas, are restricted to the tropical parts of 



Fig. 17. 



Anaconda, from Tropical America (Boa murina). 



