224 WILD ANIMAL CELEBRITIES 



The same procedure was followed with the 

 other python, only, instead of heing fed, he 

 had two loose teeth taken out, which must 

 have greatly relieved him. Sore mouth is a 

 common complaint with the hig snakes in 

 captivity. The teeth were taken out with 

 small pincers, but when the mouth had to 

 be swabbed out with disinfectant the python 

 helped matters greatly by biting viciously on 

 the lump of cotton wool saturated with lis- 

 terine which was put into his mouth. He was 

 then put back into his cage, where he at once 

 made for the tank of cool water, putting his 

 head right down to the bottom, drawing his 

 long body into thick coils after him and then, 

 lifting his head out of the water, settled down 

 comfortably and seemingly very contented. 



There ensued an exciting time when the 

 other python was taken out of the inner room, 

 but this too was accomplished successfully, 

 he followed the example of his companion and 

 went straight into the tank, which in a few 

 minutes was filled to overflowing with thick 

 coils of python, moving slowly up and down 



