CHAPTER XIX 



REPTILES 



Snakes occasion, in the average adult person, a feeling of 

 deep revulsion. That this often is largely a matter of train- 

 ing, and not the deep-seated instinct it is commonly sup- 

 posed to be, is shown by the fact that the small boy, 

 unspoiled by the example of his elders, finds the same 

 creature a thing to be admired and coveted. And why not ? 

 The harmless snakes make admirable pets, soon becoming 

 tame and even almost affectionate, and much that is of 

 interest may be gleaned from observation of the habits of 

 captive specimens. They are clean and, if properly kept, 

 practically odorless. In point of beauty, there is nothing to 

 excel the brilliancy of a healthy snake which has recently 

 shed its skin, the iridescent coloring in some species being 

 quite remarkable. 



The great group of lizards contains a wide variety of 

 forms which make interesting pets, including the much 

 abused Chameleon. That baby alligators are kept in sur- 

 prising numbers is evidenced by the quantities of these little 

 creatures, in various states of disrepair, which are presented 

 each year to the New York Zoological Park and the 

 Aquarium. In the light of this fact, it is unfortunate that 

 knowledge of their proper treatment is not more general. 

 Turtles make, perhaps, the most satisfactory captives of the 

 entire group of Reptilia, since their wants are few and 

 easily satisfied, and their care makes small demand on the 

 time and ingenuity of their owner. 



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