266 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



retained, but as soon as they were placed on the ground, most of 

 the milk ran out of the mouth. 



I have often been told that snakes were killed, and the milk 

 came out when their bodies were smashed up. What really took 

 place, I expect, was, when the snake's body was shot to pieces or 

 pounded with sticks or stones, the eggs which were in it got 

 smashed, and the creamy-white contents were mistaken for 

 milk. 



Snakes and Their Mates. 



In South Africa the belief is widespread that if a snake is 

 killed its mate will, sooner or later, appear upon the scene of the 

 tragedy, and wreak vengeance upon the slayer. So strong is 

 this belief that if a venomous snake should be killed in or 

 near a dwelling, the occupants are in a state of nervous dread 

 for many days afterwards. In Natal many a time my native 

 servants have positively refused to kill a snake, fearing lest its 

 mate would seek them out during the darkness of the night, or lie 

 concealed in some lurking place and deal them a revengeful fatal 

 thrust. 



Like most popular beliefs, this particular one has some slight 

 foundation in fact. It is a case of facts being misinterpreted and 

 grossly exaggerated. 



During the summer season, which is the time when snakes lead 

 an active existence, they are frequently found in pairs, or the 

 male may be observed in search of the female. When a snake is 

 killed near a habitation, the occupants, believing the mate will 

 turn up on vengeance intent, either make a careful search of the 

 neighbourhood, or else are keenly on the alert. If the mate should 

 be somewhere near, it will probably be found. Any one who has 

 hunted snakes in a systematic manner, knows that when these 

 reptiles are not specially sought for, they are seldom seen. 

 Naturally if a systematic hunt be organized for the supposed mate 

 of a slain snake, one of the same species is likely to be discovered 

 somewhere in the vicinity. 



Snakes find their mates mainly by the sense of smell. A male 

 snake is able thus to follow the spoor of a female for considerable 

 distances. I have frequently watched Puff Adders and Night 

 Adders which I kept in captivity in large enclosures, following in 



