THE TREE DASSIE 



ones. This owl is, nevertheless, of great economic 

 value as a rat killer. 



In many districts inhabited by the Tree Dassie 

 the Python does not occur, but in the habitat of this 

 snake the Dassie has a terrible enemy, for lying con- 

 cealed along a branch with the tail gripping a twig, 

 the Python drops upon its victim or makes a sudden 

 dart, and once gripped by the strong, recurved teeth 

 of the serpent, there is no hope of escape for the 

 victim. When striking at their prey these snakes 

 are exceedingly active and expert. I watched one of 

 them strike at a large bird in a tree. The reptile was 

 lying coiled on some branches, and the bird settled 

 on a branch several feet away. In an instant the 

 snake launched its body forward, seized the bird in 

 its jaws, and swung the full length of its body, 

 hanging from a twig which it gripped firmly with 

 its tail. 



The Dassie is not even safe from these dreaded 

 snakes when lying snugly within its lair in the 

 hollow trunk of a forest tree, for the Python, 

 finding the entrance, insinuates its long body therein 

 and captures and draws the inmate out, or should 

 the cavity be large, it enters and forthwith proceeds 

 to swallow every Dassie in that particular lair. 



Such are the tragedies which are being enacted 

 in the lower animal world. The town-dweller 

 knows nothing of the teeming life of the forest, veld, 

 mountain and stream. He is so engrossed in his own 

 affairs and those of his kind, that it does not occur 



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