Due to their immunity to venom, Eastern kingsnakes can safely swallow larger timber rattlesnakes.
Timber rattlesnake becomes a meal for the Eastern kingsnake.
Tom Slagle, a resident of Haddock, Georgia, captured an unusual scene when he witnessed two snakes wrestling near a mailbox. Slagle began filming as the kingsnake enjoyed its meal. On June 8, officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shared the video on social media.
In the video, the Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) slowly moves its flexible jaw along the body of the larger timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Since the timber rattlesnake appears to be motionless, it is likely that it was killed by the kingsnake before being consumed. Timber rattlesnakes typically measure 1.8 meters in length, while Eastern kingsnakes reach a maximum length of 1.2 meters. The snake being swallowed in the video is clearly larger than the kingsnake and may weigh more.
Many snake species can consume prey larger than themselves, such as deer, cattle, and even humans. However, this behavior usually does not include larger snake species, as snakes tend to eat smaller members of their own kind.
The Eastern kingsnake is one of the few snake species that will eat larger snakes, but their primary prey includes lizards, mice, birds, and freshwater turtle eggs. This constrictor hunts by biting near the neck of its prey, wrapping around its body, and squeezing tightly. Although non-venomous, kingsnakes are immune to the venom of some of the most dangerous snakes, allowing them to safely consume rattlesnakes, according to the University of Georgia.
Video: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Both snake species in the video are found throughout the eastern United States, but some populations of Eastern kingsnakes are declining significantly. They are listed as a species needing protection in the state of Georgia.
