It ended up being a good day for the snake and a very bad day for the lizard, but for a moment it looked quite the opposite. The green rat snake was obviously trying to eat the whiptail lizard, but the lizard put up a good fight and at one point actually had a bit of a strangle hold on the snake. Eventually, however, the snake was too much to handle and nature did what nature does. This was taken in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica — not on my recent trip but on a previous trip back in 2007. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/125th of a second
Very cool picture, Sean. One day, I was out walking in the woods with my dog when I came upon a snake that had just eaten a big toad, its feet still hanging outside the snake’s jaws…the snake was in the midst of swallowing and could not move, so I assume this must be a vulnerable time for a snake, just after a huge meal or in the middle of swallowing one. I touched the snake with the toe of my shoe and it was unable to slither away, so I bet the snake was glad I was not someone bigger who was hungry because I would have gotten two meals in one! This picture reminds me of that day. Gotta love snakes. They have a tenacity about them. They don’t let their size become a deterrent, even when they are out sized by their prey. thanks for another great shot!
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It ended up being a good day for the snake and a very bad day for the lizard, but for a moment it looked quite the opposite. The green rat snake was obviously trying to eat the whiptail lizard, but the lizard put up a good fight and at one point actually had a bit of a strangle hold on the snake. Eventually, however, the snake was too much to handle and nature did what nature does. This was taken in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica — not on my recent trip but on a previous trip back in 2007.
No escaping those jaws. Anything in their path is history! Sad for the lizard though, but another meal for the snake. Good capture Sean!
This swirl of stripes would—-Please the french artists who loved nature—-Red in tooth and claw.
pretty neato!!!
Very cool!!
Very cool picture, Sean. One day, I was out walking in the woods with my dog when I came upon a snake that had just eaten a big toad, its feet still hanging outside the snake’s jaws…the snake was in the midst of swallowing and could not move, so I assume this must be a vulnerable time for a snake, just after a huge meal or in the middle of swallowing one. I touched the snake with the toe of my shoe and it was unable to slither away, so I bet the snake was glad I was not someone bigger who was hungry because I would have gotten two meals in one! This picture reminds me of that day. Gotta love snakes. They have a tenacity about them. They don’t let their size become a deterrent, even when they are out sized by their prey. thanks for another great shot!
Seems like a classic case of Get in my belly!
cool pic.oh what good dinner for the nite.