The Vivarium - Being a Practical Guide to the Construction, Arrangement, and Management of Vivaria by Bateman Gregory C

Author:Bateman, Gregory C. [Bateman, Gregory C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
Published: 2017-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Fig. 63.—THE GREEN -SPOTTED GARTER SNAKE (Tropidonotus ordinatus ).

The colouring of a typical specimen of the Garter Snake is, according to Mr. Boulenger, as follows: “Olive or green above, uniform or with black spots disposed quincuncially; stripes absent, or very indistinct; greenish white inferiorly, with a more or less distinct black spot at the outer end of the ventrals.” It is found in the United States, east of the Mississippi.

The variety sirtalis , known as the Striped Snake (T. sirtalis ), is coloured “brownish olive with black spots, or black above with three yellow, red, or pale green stripes.” This specimen is a native of the eastern parts of the Rocky Mountains of North America, and also of North Mexico.

In captivity the Garter Snake need not be supplied with artificial heat, and if in good condition in the autumn, owing to regular feeding, it will spend our winter months successfully in a state of hibernation. Directions for preparing Snakes for this natural sleep will be given in another place.

While in confinement this Reptile may be fed upon frogs, small fish, and newts. Sometimes it may be tempted to take other food, such as half-grown toads, baby mice and rats. It, however, prefers frogs to any other form of food.

Occasionally a Garter Snake, which is easily tamed, may be bought in this country for so low a sum as 7s. 6d.; but generally the amateur is more likely to be asked as much as from £2 to £3 for a healthy specimen.

The Ringed or Common Snake (Tropidonotus natrix , Fig. 64 ) is one of the most beautiful as well as one of the most plentiful of all European non-poisonous Snakes. It lives very well in confinement, and with proper treatment soon becomes tame. The Grass Snake, as it is frequently called, very rarely bites those who handle it; indeed, so seldom does it attempt to use its teeth in self-defence that it would be almost correct to say that it never bites. After years of inquiry concerning and experience with this Reptile I have only known or heard of two instances in which it has bitten, viz., (1) a dealer, from whom I have obtained a great many Snakes, told me once, as something very extraordinary (as it undoubtedly was), that a Common Snake had lately seized one of his fingers with its teeth, making a tiny wound; (2) Dr. Stradling has recorded, in the Zoologist (I think), that a T. natrix of his, which was disturbed while incubating her eggs, had bitten him.

The Ringed Snake is a very nervous animal, and not only hisses loudly when frightened, but also emits an unpleasant smell. This latter capability is its chief means of defence. As soon as the creature becomes fairly tame, it ceases to make this disagreeable discharge. Notwithstanding that this Reptile is absolutely harmless, most men and boys consider it both a duty and a pleasure to kill it whenever they have the opportunity. It is rather a difficult

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