Strange Faculty in Reptiles.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 3 February 1894, Page 3 (Supplement)

Strange Faculty in Reptiles.

Theib Water-looating Power Wbxs

Headless.

BY E. M. RANDOLPH.

Reptiles and batrachians usually paasesi what may be termed the water-location sense.

My attention was first called to this by my brother, who, while engaged in ft natnrial history expedition, in southeastern Texas, had what at the time we both considered a unique experience with a large sea-tortoise.

This tortoise had been surprised some distance from the water, among the Band dunes thab line the gulf shore, and on being overtaken had its head chopped off preparatory to Berving as a very toothsome addition to our diet. Much to the surprise of the party, the beheaded animal con tinned on its way towards the water. Several times ib was turned around, entirely or part way, bab every time ib waa able to right its position perfectly, and again make directly for the water. At the time this was narrated to me, I. was of the opinion that there must have been something in the contour of the land that enabled the tortoise to regain the correct direction in each case.

Since then, I have had numerous proofs thab this ability belongs to a number of species of these animals in the West Indies, and thab the loss of eyes and nasal organs, of the entire head and neck in fact), apparently works no inconvenience to them in this particular. This is a,family characteristic which, so far as I have been able to. find, is nob alluded to in any work concerning them.

The same singular ability may be observed in certain species of water-frequent ing snakes. The common water spake, often erroneously called- the 'water moc&sin,' almost invariably finds its way to the water, if not too far away, when its head is cub off.