22 MARVELS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD 



into the unknown world by wriggling out of liis 

 mouth. 



Of the numerous species of snakes which populate 

 the earth, that known as the American hog-nosed 

 snake is an expert in the practice of feigning death. 

 It is a smaU species, rarely exceeding three and a 

 half feet in length, and is remarkable for its curious 

 up-turned and shovel-hke snout, which serves it in 

 good stead when burrowing. 



In spite of the fact that it is quite harmless, and 

 seldom bites a human being, no matter how much 

 it may be provoked, the natives of its habitat 

 regard it as being poisonous. This behef is due, 

 doubtless, to the habits of the reptile, for, when 

 alarmed, it does its best to disguise itself as a venom- 

 ous cobra by raising its head and expanding the 

 skin folds of its neck, accompanying the action 

 by hissing vigorously. 



Should these tactics prove unsuccessful, it then 

 shams death as a last resource, writhing its body 

 about as if it were in convulsions, and, finally, 

 rolling over upon its back and remaining motionless. 



Not long since the writer was photographing one 

 of these snakes at the London Zoological Gardens, 

 and the reptile kindly went through its entire per- 

 formance of deceit, with the result that he was able 

 to obtain the accompanying illustrations. During 

 its final efforts it reposed upon the ground in grace- 

 ful and limp coils, and, when picked up, hung like 

 a rag in his hand. 



Mr. R. L. Ditmars, curator of reptiles at the 

 New York Zoological Park, in his book Reptiles of 



