Uncommon Pets 313 
and two ends may be of wood, the two sides of glass—preferably plate—and the roof 
of perforated zinc set in a hinged frame to permit of the interior being cleaned out, 
food put in, and the mmate attended to generally. 
Pea-gravel is the most generally useful coverimg for the floor, although fine well- 
washed sea sand is better for skinks (a kind of lizard) and sand snakes; for certain 
snakes a half-and-half mixture of silver (or sea) sand and earth is recommended. All 
reptiles drink, and therefore water must be provided in a suitable receptacle; a small 
bough of a sapling placed diagonally from a lower corner to an opposite upper one 
affords opportunities for climbimg. A bit of virgin cork placed on the floor serves as 
a hiding place to which the reptile may retire whenever it desires to shun observation. 
Some snakes will only be kept to advantage when their cases are artificially 
warmed to a temperature of 80° or so. ‘To keep this temperature equable may be 
to some people too troublesome, and therefore in this article those snakes requiring 
artificial heat will be passed over; among these are the Boas, the Hoary snake, the 
Liacertme snake, and the Whip snakes. Omitting mention of the Grass snake and 
the King snake, the most suitable snakes for beginners in reptile keeping are the 
AMsculapian snake, the Chicken snake, the Corn snake, and the Four-rayed snake. 
The AXsculapian snake (Coluber longissimus) is a pretty little snake, about a yard in 
length; it is of an olivaceous tint, 
sometimes verging into a grey green, 
the edges of the scales being often 
tinted with white. The under side, 
which in all snakes is lighter than 
and usually different in colour from 
the upper parts, is of a yellowish 
hue. This species is usually very 
quiet and well behaved, but the 
wuiter has often had examples that 
were in appearance, but only in 
appearance, dangerous, for the jaws 
are hardly strong enough to cause 
the teeth to pierce the skin. It is 
not an expensive reptile, 7s. 6d. 
being a usual price, although 10s. may be asked by some dealers. It may be fed on 
mice or lizards; birds, such as sparrows, etc., are less readily taken. 
The Chicken snake (Coluber obsoletus) can be strongly recommended. It is hardy, 
easily provided for, and quickly gets tame. An awverage-sized specimen can be 
purchased at from fifteen to thirty shillings. It is fed principally on eggs, but 
small birds or rats may be occasionally offered either in addition to, or in place of, 
the usual diet. 
The Corn snake (Coluber guttatus) in captivity is very sluggish during the daytime, 
remaining secluded from observation under its blanket until the evening, when it becomes 
extremely lively in its movements. Rats and mice form the chief diet. 
The Four-rayed snake (Coluber quatwor-lineatus) is fairly common in southern Hurope, 
and attains the length of more than six feet, so that it is quite the largest of this 
continent’s snakes. It gets tame in a remarkably short space of time, and is a universal 
favourite with those who go in for snake-keeping. The price is not very formidable, and 
about a sovereign will buy a very fair specimen. Gentle and confident, it forms an 
interesting and pretty pet for ladies, and is no trouble whatever to look after. Mice, 
small rats and birds, and eggs will form the principal articles of diet, and on these 
the Four-rayed snake manages to exist for a good number of years in captivity. 
FOUR-RAYED SNAKE. 
