MOLE SNAKES CONSTRICTING RATS. 



Fig. 46.- — The snake seizes the rat by the nose, whenever possible, and throws two or three coils round 

 its body. So powerfully does it constrict, that the rat is unable to breathe, and dies rapidly. The snake, 

 after constricting its prey in the manner seen in the picture, lies perfectly quiet for a few minutes, 

 and then proceeds to swallow the victim whole. The coils are, at this time, somewhat loosened, but 

 remain in a position ready for instant contraction, should the prey show any signs of life. It is stated in 

 certain scientific books that snakes only throw two coils round their prey ; this is not so, at least with 

 South African constricting snakes. The number of coils depends upon the size of the victim. I have 

 seen as many as five coils thrown round the prey. [Photograph taken from life at the Port Elizabeth 

 Museum.] 



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