PYTHON 71 



The color of the young is similar to that of the adult. The 

 belly frequently assumes a bright orange color. In very young 

 specimens there are often black dots on either side of the median 

 black line on the head. 



Remarks. — This snake attains a length of at least 9 meters. 

 It is not at all improbable that specimens of larger size are oc- 

 casionally found. All records of specimens longer than 8 or 

 9 meters should be verified beyond a doubt, for it must be re- 

 membered that the skin is elastic and can be stretched consider- 

 ably when freshly removed from the snake. Measurements of 

 skins therefore are not necessarily authentic for those of the 

 living snake. 



Superstitious beliefs are probably more common regarding this 

 snake than any other in the Philippines. Fabulous stories are 

 told of its size ; of snakes 20 to 30 meters in length having been 

 killed or seen, vs^ith body height that of a man ; or of grown 

 carabaos having been eaten whole by a single reptile. 



That these large constrictors of 8 or 9 meters can easily kill 

 a man or smaller animals is evident from their strength and size. 

 There are on record a few cases of such occurrences, but they 

 are rare. It is possible that they could kill a carabao if coiled 

 about the neck; but that a snake could eat one is absurd. 



Many regard this snake as poisonous which, needless to say, 

 it is not. The flesh is white and is relished by many Filipinos. 

 Many of the rural people have young specimens in their houses 

 for protection from rats. 



They feed on a great variety of animals, preferring smaller 

 mammals and the young of certain of the larger ones, such as 

 monkeys, deer, pigs, dogs, goats, as well as birds and fowls. In 

 captivity they do very well and are probably kept as menagerie 

 specimens more commonly than is any other snake, Boa con- 

 stnctor of South America not excepted. Specimens kept in the 

 Bureau of Science Aquarium are fed a small goat once each 

 month. 



Specimens are most frequentlj^ taken along rivers and they 

 appear to be somewhat aquatic in their habits. They usually 

 live in hollow trees, in hollow trunks of fallen trees, in holes in 

 the banks of streams, or in caves. They lay their eggs usually 

 in the hollow trunks of fallen trees and incubate them by encir- 

 cling them with the coils of the body. 



The species is found on all the larger Philippine islands and 

 probably most of the smaller ones. It is known from Luzon, 



