Abstract
RATHER a strange occurrence came recently before my notice, and thinking perhaps you might care to insert it in your columns, I send you the facts of the circumstance. A few days since, towards evening, I killed a snake just close behind my house; it measured about a yard and a half in length, was one of the most deadly of the numerous kinds of snakes found in Java, and bears the name of “Oelar belang.” On examining it later I found what I thought to be the tail of another small snake protruding from its mouth, but on pulling it out I was greatly surprised to discover that it was really a snake of the same species, and of almost the same length. There was certainly not more than three inches' difference in the length of the two snakes, and at the time I killed the outside snake only about an inch and a half or two inches of the tail of the one he had swallowed protruded from his mouth. The outside snake was of course considerably the thicker of the two, but this may be attributed to his having swollen after, or rather during, his tremendous meal. The natives here say that the two snakes must have been fighting, the victor afterwards swallowing his opponent. I should be pleased to know whether such an instance has ever before been brought before your notice, or whether it is really an uncommon case.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
EVANS, E. A Cannibal Snake. Nature 30, 216 (1884). https://doi.org/10.1038/030216d0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/030216d0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.