REPTILES 297 



disrepute among farmers, but in reality it is a very useful 

 species. In captivity it feeds on small rats and mice. 



Of poisonous species there are but two in northeastern 

 North America. These are the Copperhead (Ancistrodon 

 contortrix) and the- Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus hor- 

 ridus), the latter being very uncommon in the north. Far- 

 ther south we find the Coral Snake, the Water Moccasin 

 and the Diamond-back and Pigmy Rattlesnakes. Al- 

 though all of these snakes thrive in captivity, the constant 

 menace of their ever-ready fangs precludes their inclusion 

 in the list of pets, and the amateur should confine his efforts 

 to the non-venomous species. 



Specimens of the great constricting snakes, especially the 

 Indian Python (Python molurus) and some of the com- 

 moner Boas, are generally to be obtained from dealers. 

 Pythons are in great demand for use by " snake-charmers," 

 and in spite of their large size make very satisfactory pets, 

 becoming docile and even affectionate under sympathetic 

 treatment. They are fond of bathing and should be pro- 

 vided with a tank suitable for the purpose. Once they have 

 become reconciled to captivity, they usually feed regularly, 

 and at intervals of about ten days should be furnished with 

 whatever food they seem to prefer — rats, guinea-pigs, 

 chickens, pigeons, etc. Some individuals, especially the 

 larger ones, often have to be fed forcibly at first, but the 

 necessity for such procedure will hardly fall to the lot of the 

 tyro. 



Lizards 



Although the order Lacertilia contains a great array of 

 forms, comparatively few of them are obtainable by the 

 amateur collector. Dealers in live animals sometimes have 

 specimens for sale, but the number of these creatures which 

 reach the open market is not large, and includes only the 



