1 62 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



MKXll AN BOA. 



Compulsory feeding is seldom necessary with 

 snakes of this kind. They prefer small mammals 

 to fowls, but it is quite unnecessary that their food 

 should be offered alive. 



In distribution this serpent differs somewhat 

 from the Regal Python, being common in India, 

 and extending into but one of the larger islands — 

 Java. The larger species of the mainland is con- 

 fined to Burmah, Iiido-China and the Malay 

 Peninsula, and is distributed throughout the Malay 

 Archipelago. In captivity both the Regal and 

 Black-Tailed Pythons are vicious, and resent any 

 familiarity on the part of the keeper. Their long, 

 recurved teeth are capable of inflicting severe 

 wounds. Owing to their hostile nature, these 

 handsome reptiles seldom are exhibited with 

 travelling shows. 



In direct contrast to the irritable East Indian 

 species, is the African Rock Python, {Python 

 sehae), a richly-marked reptile which attains quite 

 substantial proportions. It inhabits the tropical 

 and southern portions of Africa. The average length 

 of mature specimens is about twelve feet, but oc- 

 casional specimens will measure from fifteen to 

 eighteen feet. In proportion to its length, it is a 

 very thick-bodied serpent. A coiled specimen 

 eleven or twelve feet long presents greater bulk, 

 and consequently appears much larger than a 

 Regal or Black-Tailed Python of a length of 

 fifteen or sixteen feet. The head is quite small, 

 yet mature specimens feed upon fair-sized prey 

 such as the smaller species of antelope, which are 

 seized as they pass in close proximity to under- 

 growth on their way to water. 



A fine specimen of the African Rock Pvthon, in 

 the Reptile House, is only nine-and-one-half feet 

 long, but it shghtly exceeds in weight a specimen 



of the Regal or Reticulated Python, fourteen feet 

 long. The body is a delicate shade of tan. Down 

 the back is a series of large, olive-brown saddles, 

 and on each side of the head is a broad, pinkish 

 band. Few species of the larger snakes so quickly 

 become docile in captivity, or are more hardy if 

 properly cared for, than this African constrictor. 

 It is the snake most frequently e.xhibited by circus 

 performers, and owing to its good nature, and its 

 ability to endure rough handling in transit, it is a 

 prime favorite with travelling showmen. Moreover, 

 large numbers of these snakes are captured an- 

 nually and shipped from Africa to various parts of 

 Europe and America. Hundreds are received 

 in the United States every spring and sold to the 

 various shows, in which they are e.xhibited as 

 "Philippine Boa Constrictors," or " Man-Eaters," 

 or otherwise exploited by the professional snake 

 enchantress who poses as an exponent of the 

 hypnotic art. 



It is a common belief that pythons may be dis- 

 tinguished from boas by the presence on the lip- 

 plates (labials) of the former of a number of pits. 

 This is partially true, yet not altogether a definite 

 distinction. Although the majority of the pythons 

 possess these pits, so prominently developed that 

 they appear to be of some functional value to the 

 reptile, it might incidentally be stated that various 

 species of boas al.so possess pits, which in the 

 genera Epicrales and CoraUus are as well de- 

 veloped as in any of the pythons. An example of the 

 former genus is the Cuban Boa, (Epicrales angit- 

 lijer), a thick-bodied species, attaining a length 

 of ten feet, and confined in its habitat to the 

 island of Cuba. It is the only large constrictor 

 inhabiting the island, and though of a dull brown 

 color, when in a bright light it shows a high degree 



