its gullet by means of a special set of bony cutters extending from the 
vertebrae into the throat, and then ejects the shell. This is remarkable when 
we consider that the snake is less than two feet in length and that the eggs 
may be three to four times the diameter of its neck. The eier-vreter is per¬ 
haps the only snake in the world using this technique. As a rule it robs tree 
nests, but it has no objection to the eggs of terrestrial birds and barnyard 
fowl. 
A timid and practically toothless reptile, the egg-eating snake may 
rely for defense on mimicry. In pattern it closely resembles the venomous 
night adder. In southwest Africa and Egypt, where the night adder is not 
known, the egg-eater is said to mimic other poisonous vipers. 
The typical marking of the egg-eating snake is a series of three rows 
of dark spots on an olive or light brown background. Its sound is alleged 
to be a rasping noise produced by rubbing the rough scales of its hide to¬ 
gether. 
Fitzsimons claims that in captivity, egg-eaters become tame enough 
to feed from a man’s hands. It is said they will never eat an egg containing 
a partly developed young bird or one that is not fresh. 
As if in retribution for its depredations among unborn birds, the egg¬ 
eating snake is stalked by the fierce secretary bird, which transfers the 
serpent to its gullet in one swoop. 
GOACHWHIP SNAKE 
The long, slender coachwhip snake inhabits open country, where it can 
move along with almost the speed of a walking man. Like the gopher snake, 
it often takes refuge in the burrow of the gopher tortoise. The coachwhip 
eats small rodents, birds and eggs. Unlike most harmless snakes, it has a 
vicious temper and does not thrive in captivity. With its nervous disposition 
it requires more food than most snakes. 
This reptile lays from one to two dozen eggs. 
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