138 TYPES OF ANIMAL LIFE 



Africa thousands of years ago, is shown by its constant 

 appearance in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Two other 

 African kinds are known as the " sheep-stinger " and the 

 " spitting snake." The latter is especially bold and 

 active, readily attacking any one who approaches near it. 

 In confinement it is generally very savage, opening its 

 mouth and erecting its fangs, from which poison often 

 may be observed to drop, and sometimes even to be ejected 

 forcibly by the pressure of the jaw muscles on the poison 

 glands. It is this circumstance which has given the 

 serpent its name. The last group of colubrine snakes to 

 which reference will be made here, is a very singular one. 

 The existence of the famed sea serpent has been much 

 disputed, but that sea serpents, not so famed, really exist 

 it is utterly impossible to deny. There are about fifty 

 species of these marine reptiles, all highly poisonous, but 

 not practically dangerous, as they never quit the water 

 and swim away rapidly at the least alarm. Their main 

 home is the Indian Ocean, extending thence toward 

 Madagascar, down to the coast of Australia, and across 

 the Pacific to the western coast of South America. 

 They also advance northward to the shores of Japan. 

 Like all other serpents, they are air-breathers, and to 

 help them to rise quickly to the surface of the water and 

 to swim with rapidity the end of the tail is flattened 

 from side to side. In order to breathe the more easily 

 and securely, their nostrils are placed at the very end of 

 the muzzle, and are protected with valves to secure them 

 from an unwelcome influx of water. 



Unlike other snakes, they cast their skin in small 

 pieces, and unlike most snakes, though not unlike vipers, 

 they bring forth their young alive without laying eggs. 

 Their progeny can, of course, swim as soon as they are 

 born. Their eyes are not adapted to see well out of 



