SPEED OF THE ROCK SNAKE. 
121 
of their owner. Few persons have any idea of the exceeding heaviness of a large Snake, and 
unless the reptile has been fairly lifted and carried about, its easy gliding movements have the 
effect of making it appear as if it were as light as it is graceful. 
Both jaws are thickly studded with these teeth, and their use is to seize the prey and hold 
it while the huge folds of the body are flung round the victim, and its life crushed out of its 
frame by the contracting coils. In order to secure its prey, the Rock Snake acts after the 
manner of all this family. It waits in some spot where it knows that its victim will pass, coils 
its tail round some object, such as a tree or a stone, so as to give it a firm hold, and then, 
rapidly darting at the prey, it draws back its head, carrying the poor victim into the fatal 
grasp of its folds. It usually seizes by the throat, and retains its hold until the crushed 
animal is quite dead. 
The following interesting account of the Rock Snake of Natal has been kindly forwarded 
to me by Captain Drayson : — 
“The Rock Snake is somewhat rare, even in the least populous districts, and, in conse- 
quence of its retired habits and silent method of moving, it is not frequently seen. Although 
on an average I traversed the forests and plains near my various stations at least five times a 
week, I saw but seven Rock Snakes during a period of nearly three years. This Snake 
retreats into rocky crevices, or amongst the most tangled brushwood, after it has devoured its 
prey, which consists of toads, frogs, lizards, such as guanas, etc., birds of any size, and even 
small bucks. Its bite is quite harmless compared to that of the poisonous Snakes, and it 
destroys its victims by pressure. 
“ So cautious is this Snake to remain quite quiet if it thinks itself unseen, that on one 
occasion I nearly rode over a rather large Boa, which lay on a small path along which I was 
riding. On each side of this path there was a dense jungle, and there was merely room for one 
animal to travel along it. I happened to ‘ pull up ’ my pony to examine the surrounding 
bush, when I noticed that his erected ears indicated that he had seen game, he being a most 
accomplished shooting pony. Upon looking on the path before me I observed a very large 
Snake, lying perfectly still, and looking at me in a very suspicious manner. The reptile being 
partly concealed by the long grass, I could not see whether or not it was a poisonous Snake, so 
I quietly c reined back ’ about a yard, and shot the creature through the body. The coils and 
contortions were something terrific to see, as the monster fought hard for his life ; but even the 
bone and muscle of a Boa has but a poor chance against gunpowder and lead. A charge of 
buck shot in the head settled the business, and cleared the path of a very disagreeable 
ms-a-ms. This Snake measured about sixteen feet in length, and was in very fair condition, 
having a fine bloom on his skin. He had resided about a hundred yards from a long rlei 
(lagoon), in which frogs and lizards abounded. 
“ A much larger Rock Snake was shot by me some time after this, and measured upwards 
of seven yards. I once had an opportunity which rarely occurs to many men, viz., that of 
trying my speed with a young Boa-constrictor. Upon returning from shooting one afternoon I 
crossed the Umbilo River near Natal, and shortly after observed a coran flying up and down 
in a very singular manner. This bird being very good eating, I dismounted, and commenced 
stalking him, and approached within a few yards of him without being discovered. I 
then noticed a Snake creeping towards the coran, which merely flew on a few feet and then 
settled again. The Snake again approached the bird, which, however, seeing me, became dis- 
enchanted, and was making its escape when I shot it, and then turned my attention to the 
Snake, which remained quite still. I soon saw that the animal was a young Rock Snake about 
twelve feet long, and, being desirous to obtain a live specimen of this reptile, I ran to my 
pony, where on the saddle I had a long leather strap, with which I hoped to noose the 
young Boa. 
“ Upon returning to the scene of the coran’ s death, I found the Snake making off as fast 
as he could towards a clump of thick bush. Immediately starting after him, I headed him 
after a race of about sixty yards, when he turned and tried another direction. I failed in 
noosing him, and, finding that he would probably escape into the bush, I was compelled 
Vol. in.— 16 . 
