Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1901 — How a Hedgehog Fights a Snake. [ARTICLE]

How a Hedgehog Fights a Snake.

“Several years ago I was an interested spectator at a combat between a hedgehog and a huge black snake,” said W. D. Ingraham of Memphis recently. “1 came upon the scene just as the hedgehog liegan the attack upon the snake, which was lying stretched out on the road asleep. The liog advanced cautiously upon the reptile ami seized Its tail in its mouth, giving It a sharp bite. Then lie quickly withdrew a few feet, and, rolling himself Into a compact spiny ball, awaited developments. The snake, iqion being thus rudely awakened, turned In fury upon its antagonist, striking the hog nguln and again with Its fange. The wily hedgehog, securely Intrenched within Its spiny armor, remained perfectly motionless all the while, allowing the snake to keep up the nttack. At every stroke the Jaws of the snake would iHM'ome filled with the spines, until at last, exhausted ami bleeding from dozens of wounds caused by the ncedle-like spines of the hog, the snake gnve up the battle. This was evidently what the hedgehog was waiting for, as lie Immediately proceeded to roll over the stuike again nnd again until In* had completely disemboweled his victim.’’