ADAPTATION TO SURROUNDINGS. 41 



always prefer to remove his supply of poison fangs, of which he 

 has several duplicate sets in each jaw, previous to starting any 

 Puff Adder or Cobra taming experiments. 



Snakes which are kept in suitable enclosures out of doors 

 where they can bask in the sun's rays, often take dead food. 



Adaptation to Surroundings. 



Adaptation of habits and colouration to surroundings is 

 possessed in greater or lesser degree by all living creatures. This 

 provision of Nature operates in two ways. It serves as a pro- 

 tection against enemies. On the other hand, it is of immense 

 service to flesh-eating animals in capturing their prey. The 

 tree-climbing snakes are so alike in colouration to the branches 

 and foliage that they have 'little difficulty in getting within 

 striking distance of birds. I have seen Tree-snakes remain per- 

 fectly rigid, twisting their bodies to represent tree branches, and 

 have watched birds hop right up to them, and even perch upon 

 their bodies, mistaking them for twigs. A bird once within 

 striking distance of a Tree Snake has very little chance of escape, 

 so rapid are the snake's movements. I have seen Boomslangs 

 and Green Mambas make off into small trees scantily clothed 

 with leaves and instantly vanish from sight. On close inspection, 

 they would be found to be entwined among the branches, quite 

 rigid, relying upon the blending of their colouration with 

 their surroundings to escape detection. 



The colour of nearly all snakes blends with their surroundings. 

 A Puff Adder, for instance, lying upon the leaf and twig-strewn 

 earth is practically invisible to any one not specially on the look- 

 out for it. 



In the various parts of South Africa snakes of the same 

 species vary more or less in colour to suit the nature of their 

 surroundings. The natural habitat of the Boomslang is in trees 

 and shrubs. Its body is, therefore, specially evolved for climb- 

 ing and rapid gliding movements through dense foliage. In the 

 Eastern Province of the Cape Colony I have frequently seen and 

 captured female Boomslangs, which are of a chocolate-brown 

 colour, on the ground. When alarmed they invariably glide off 

 and seek refuge down holes, among refuse, or shrubs. I seldom 

 find them in trees. 



Mr. James Williams, the man who captures snakes for me, 



