132 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



The Back-fanged Snakes, known as the Grass Snakes and 

 Sand Snakes {Psammophis), are, if anything, less venomous than 

 the above-named Schaapsteker. Half-sized specimens when 

 allowed to bite fowls, produced only shghtly poisonous effects. 

 When full-sized specimens were allowed to bite fully, and worry 

 the flesh for a few seconds, the fowls died, usuallj^ in from eight 

 to twelve hours, A further series of experiments confirmed 

 these results, some of which are recorded in the Addenda at the 

 end of this book. 



A Battle — and the Result. 



One day I introduced a Lineated Scliaapsteker Snake, two feet 

 three inches long, into a cage containing an Olive House Snake, 

 which was two feet five inches in length. The latter began 

 to examine the intruder with his black forked tongue, which 

 he vibrated incessantly. He was evidently working himself up 

 into an excited condition. Presently he made a lightning-like 

 grab, and instantly lapped his jaws over the head of the Schaap- 

 steker. He gripped tenaciously, but made no attempt at con- 

 striction. The victim, realizing his danger, coiled, lashed, and 

 struggled mightily. After tumbling over and over, and tying 

 and untying themselves in a series of knots, the Schaapsteker 

 began to weaken. The House Snake still kept the same grip. 

 His jaws had not shifted in the least. He made no attempt 

 to get the head of his victim further into his mouth. 



After holding on thus for over an hour, he proceeded slowly 

 to swallow the, now hmp, Schaapsteker. I timed him, and found 

 he took four and a half hours before the end of his victim's tail 

 disappeared down his throat. Then he yawned half a dozen 

 times. Opening the cage door, I lifted him carefully out and 

 placed him in cotton wool in a cosy Httle box, and left him to his 

 slumbers, for he was now torpid and helpless. I peeped in at 

 him every day, but, beyond raising his head and sticking out his 

 tongue at me, he made no attempt to move. In five days' time 

 he began to revive, and moved around at times ; but he had not 

 yet completed the digestion of his victim, for, on feeling his ribs, 

 I could detect the remains of the Schaapsteker in his digestive 

 tract. However, in seven days' time the Schaapsteker had 



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