| OCR Text |
Show 1894.] ON THE OPHIDIA OF TRINIDAD, B. W. I. 499 3. Biological Notes upon some of the Ophidia of Trinidad, B. W . I., with a Preliminary List of the Species recorded from the Island. By Messrs. R. R. M O L E and F. W . URICH. [Received May 3,1894.] The following biological notes are based on observations on a number of Ophidia kept in confinement from time to time, and on others seen in the field during the past four years. As we have not had access to any literature bearing on this subject, we hope to be pardoued if we have reiterated any well-known facts. Most of the determinations have been the results of the examination, by Mr. G. A. Boulenger of the British Museum of IS". H., of living specimens sent to the collection of the Zoological Society of London, and of spirit-specimens determined by Professor Dr. O. Boettger of Frankfort-on-the-Main. We are indebted much to the Society and to these gentlemen for their kindness. W e append a preliminary list (necessarily incomplete) of the snakes found in the island by others and ourselves up to the present time. The following species do not seem to have been previously recorded from Trinidad:- 1. Epicrates cenchris, L., var. fusca, Gray. 2. Corallus cookii, Gray, var. ruschcnbergii, Cope. 3. Streptophorus atratus, Hallow. 4. Liophis regince, L. 5. Spilotes pcecilostoma, Wied. 6. Herpetodryas macrophtludmus, Jan. 7. Ahcetulla liocercus, Wied. 8. Homcdocranium melanocephalum, L. 9. LepAognathus nebulatus, L. 10. Lachesis muta, L. 11. Bothrops atrox, L. EPICRATES CENCHRIS. A snake of this species in captivity gave birth to twelve young ones. The little snakes are very beautifully marked with dark brown spots and stripes upon a light or coloured surface. Although called " Thick-necked Tree-Boas," we have only heard of one being caught in a tree, though they can climb wTell. They are more usually found in holes, and often frequent the palm-thatched roofs of kitchens in the country, where they go after mice and rats. They are also caught under houses, and often in or near water. The species exhibits many of the habits of the Anaconda, being fond of lying in wTater. In order to enjoy a bath it will contrive to get into a bottle of water, in which it would be almost impossible to put a dead specimen. So tightly does it coil, that it is with difficulty that it extricates itself from the bottle. It will remain in such a situation for a week or ten days at a time. |
