TUF. SNAKES OF BAXGKOK. 183 



Distribution. India, Cej^'lon, Burma, Siam. 

 40. Lachesis gramineus. Thf Common Grroii Pit Vqjer. 



Siamese ^ l*iIUT Vll^ IVIU ovW"]^ HFl^ (/''//" ^^'^'ii'o hang mat or 

 liawf daanrj), 



'• Hiino; iiiai," ineanino- literally ''' burnt tail", refers to the 

 rusty coloration upon the tail of this snake. 



It is by far the most common poisonous snake that is to be 

 found in Bangkok, frequenting the gardens and plantations everywhere, 

 usually arboreal in its habits, but seldom found at any great elevation 

 above the ground. One at least, is generally to be seen in the large 

 bamboo clump in my compound, and I have had many opportunities of 

 watching the habits of these snakes. The same one seldom remains 

 there for an}' length of time ; a few days perhaps, or sometimes a few 

 weeks, and then it is gone and another one takes its place. 



They are very sluggish creatures. When discovered they seldom 

 endeavour to escape, or even show any signs of alarm, but remain quietly 

 in their position, e3^eing one steadily. Sometimes one will lift its head 

 fiercely, as if protesting at the disturbance. Even when actually dis- 

 lodged from their post, they preserve the same calm demeanour, and 

 move away in a quiet and leisure!}'" manner. They can, however, be 

 extremely fierce, and when once roused will bite furiously. Their 

 habits are strictly nocturnal, and they do not move about until 

 it is quite dark. On the otlier hand, they are not particular 

 where they lie up during the daj', and any shady bough or nook, pro- 

 vided it is not actually exposed to the sun, seems to satisfy them. 

 After feeding they remain completely at rest until their meal is 

 digested, and this may occupy many days One, I remember, remained 

 in exactly the same position for 15 days, apparently without moving at 

 all. Another one that I watched, lived in a hole in a tree, and when 

 hungry and in need of food, could be seen each night outside its home. 

 How far afield it went in search of prey I do not know, but I never saw 

 it very far away, and in the morning it was back again in the hole. It 

 remained in this spot for ten weeks, and then disappeared. 



In captivity these vipers live well, feeding upon mice, frogs and 

 lizards, particularly the house gecko. In catching mice, the}'' seize the 

 animal if possible across the middle of the back, burying their long 

 fangs deeply into the vital parts of the body, I use the word seize. 



