A misfortunate snake encountered a “tough opponent”. The result was that the more it tried to swallow the fish, the more it was pierced by the spines, leading to severe injuries and even death.
Snakes are renowned for their mouths that have a self-expanding mechanism, allowing them to handle most challenging prey. However, a water snake of the viperine family (Natrix maura) faced an accident when a fish became lodged in its throat.
Close-up of the fish stuck in the snake’s throat. (Photo: Nicolas Fuento).
The encounter was captured by photographer Nicolas Fuento at Lake Carcès, located in southeastern France.
Fuento believes this was a failed hunting attempt by the snake, as it chose the wrong opponent. The fish stuck in the snake’s throat was actually not a native species, but an invasive one.
This species, known as the ruffe, often invades through artificial canals or escapes from bait buckets used by anglers.
They are characterized by having very hard and sharp dorsal spines. These spines will raise when the fish feels threatened, and even when the fish is dead.
In most cases, the snake will not survive without help. (Photo: Nicolas Fuento).
The invasive species has caused the death of many native fish-eating snakes. (Photo: Nicolas Fuento).
When snakes attempt to swallow these fish, they can be pierced by the spines in their esophagus, causing severe injuries, and they cannot expel them due to the unique mechanism of the spines.
Researchers suggest that the invasive species is considered a new threat to the survival of native fish-eating snakes. Specifically, in recent years, the rate of fish-eating snakes dying from their prey has reached 26%, with most cases attributed to the invasive species.
In most cases, the snake will not survive without help.
