io6 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



should slip down into the stomach. There is no other species 

 of snake in the world which possesses these wonderful backbone 

 or gular "teeth." 



Egg-Swallowing Process. 



The expanding elastic-like power of the Egg-eater's lower jaw 

 and skin of the throat is really immense, as will be noticed in the 

 illustration. The snake seizes the egg at one end and proceeds 

 to swallow it by a succession of slow and deliberate gulps, 

 accompanied by a pushing-forward movement of the body. 

 In fact, the snake's mouth seems just to spread slowly over the 

 egg, so smoothly and evenly does the process act. When 

 the egg has been worked down into the throat, the snake raises its 

 head and neck an inch or two above the ground, and by working 

 its backbone backwards and forwards, saws the egg-shell right 

 through longitudinally, just as a person would do with a very 

 fine fret-saw. Then the neck-muscles are put into operation, 

 and the snake moves its neck from side to side, constricting the 

 egg until all the contents have been squeezed out and down the 

 gullet. Then raising its head a little higher, the Egg-eater spits 

 out the crumpled shell. 



An Egg-eating Snake with a head the breadth of a man's 

 forefinger can swallow a bantam's egg. The largest varieties can 

 manage a domestic fowl's egg. 



Egg-eaters in Captivity. 



Egg-eating snakes are interesting reptiles to keep in captivity. 

 Unlike most other snakes, they are not only quite non- 

 venomous, but, having no teeth, other than a few rudimentary 

 ones in the mouth, they are unable even to scratch the skin. 

 Knowing this, they never attempt to bite when handled, even 

 when first captured, as do many non-venomous snakes. 



No species of snake is more interesting to observe and study 

 than the Egg-eater in captivity. He is different from the usual 

 snake , as he has a gentle, innocent look about him. After being in 

 captivity for a month or two, and gently handled at intervals, he 

 seems to become affectionate with whoever fondles him. However, 

 I fear a snake's tiny spot of a brain is not sufficiently evolved to 



