THE HABITS OF SNAKES. 45 



discovered they were all swarming with these tiny vermin, which 

 harboured under and between the scales. I immediately caused 

 the snakes to be thoroughly oiled all over, and the cages washed 

 out with disinfectant. The parasites had been introduced by a 

 snake which had, in the wild state, been infested with them. To 

 keep the captive snakes clean we are obliged to oil them about 

 once every four months. Ordinary salad oil with a little paraffin 

 in it is the most suitable application. 



The Habits of Snakes. 



When we study the habits of various creatures, we find that 

 their customs are regulated by their food supply, the necessity 

 for avoiding enemies and chmatic conditions. 



Snakes come forth in search of their prey, with but few ex- 

 ceptions, during the daytime only. In the heat of the day 

 they issue from their various retreats to bask in the sun's warm 

 rays, for their blood is cold, and they love the heat. It means 

 life and vitality to them. Tree Snakes hunt during the day- 

 time, both among the foliage and upon the ground, for their 

 food. The Cobra, Puff Adder, Ringhals, and various other snakes, 

 whose chief diet consists of toads, rats, and mice, usually issue 

 forth toward sundown, and actively scour the neighbourhood, 

 knowing that the creatures on which they prey are in the habit 

 of going out about that time and during the early evening. 

 When the temperature of the air is fairly warm, snakes may be 

 seen at any hour of the day. As a rule, they do not wander 

 about at night, but on warm moonlight nights they sometimes 

 come out to look for food. 



Snakes strongly dislike cold and wet, and on the approach of 

 rain, or if the temperature of the air falls, they hasten away to their 

 snug retreats, and await the return of bright and warm weather. 



Beetles, slugs, and other insects, which constitute the chief 

 food of toads, invariably go out about sundown to feed upon 

 other insects or vegetation. The toads, knowing this, come out 

 from their lairs at these times. The crafty Cobra, knowing he 

 is most likely to find a good fat toad for his supper about sundown, 

 also comes forth and spies around. Because the vegetation is 

 damp and succulent after sunset, the insect prefers to eat it 

 at that time. The toad comes out and eats its prey, then the 



