Snakes Alive!
At least for one of them. This is a Common King Snake attacking what I think is a Western Shovel-Nosed Snake. It might be a Sonoran Coralsnake. This was really something to see. They were still battling when it got dark, but clearly the much larger King Snake was winning. It will be interesting to see if there is any sign of them in the morning.
I had been wanting to explore along the Verde River, and choose tonight to venture into the thick brush because it was cool, and I didn’t think I would have to worry about any snakes - so much for that thinking!
April 11th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Just looked around this a.m. - no sign of any snakes. It was about 55 degrees, so I’m sure they would have had to been underground.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Glad you are still alive and posting on the blog Ron.
That is an incredible shot.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Cool catch, Ron. I have been watching the flowers fade on your blog as I wsa preparing for a brief visit to Arizona last weekend. They were all dried up at Organ Pipes, but I did photograph a regal horned lizard and Gila monster.
I looked up your snakes and the victim appears to be a long-nosed snake ( http://www.reptilesofaz.com/Snakes-Subpages/h-r-lecontei.html ), at least that is the best match I came up with. This web site is very good for AZ herps. Enjoy your travels. Wish I had more time to spend down there. I do have 70GB to edit from both AZ and Costa Rica
Milo
April 11th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Wow - that must have been pretty neat thing to see. I wonder who won the battle. Good thing they didn’t turn on you.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Thanks guys!
Rick, I’m pretty sure the King Snake must have won this one - I understand they often feed on other snakes.
Hi Milo, great to hear from you!
I was thinking of you recently - I thought it was about now you were going to be in Organ Pipe - sounds like you are having / had a great trip despite the lack of flowers. I still haven’t seen a Gila monster - that one is high on my list. Did find a Desert tortoise.
You know I found that page last night, but missed the snake you linked to - that is definitely it. The victims head didn’t match either of the snakes I mentioned - but it is a perfect match for a long nose. Thanks!
I may need to make a trip to Cordova just to see you new stuff from Costa Rica and Arizona!
Ron
April 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
What an amazing shot. The smaller snake looks to be like a Long-nosed Snake.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Thanks Josh. I agree, I believe it is a Long-nosed.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Yikes, turtles & snakes! You’d better hurry back to the safety of Alaska. That must have been totally fun to watch. We miss you up here, it snowed again yesterday, or maybe it would be more accurate to say we miss you down there.
Love, Mom
April 12th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Killer stuff Ron. Just recently getting into going out to photograph Reptiles/Amphibians, so this picture makes me a big jealous! King snakes definitely do eat other snakes quite a bit. I was reading the other day that in the presence of king snakes (the smell of king snake, actually), Timber Rattlesnakes will raise the mid section of their body and keep their head and tail on the ground. When the King comes around, they slam their mid section down in an attempt to club the king snake!
April 12th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Hi Chris,
Thanks, I thought you might get a kick out of this photo. I was reading how King snakes will even attack and kill Rattlesnakes - that is interesting how at least the Timber Rattlesnakes try to defend themselves. Thanks for sharing!
Hey mom. I seen all that snow - wow, that seems so foreign right now! Miss you all too!
Ron
April 12th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Hey Ron,
All I’ve seen is red polls, a coyote and snow show hares. And snow.
Cheers
Carl
April 12th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Good to hear from you Carl! Coyotes and hares are cool! Especially all white hares. Hope you are having fun.
Ron
April 13th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Great shot Ron. I have often wondered if one snake will try to swallow another…