A grass snake (scientific name: Natrix natrix) from the water snake family was swimming underwater when it was suddenly ambushed from below. It turns out that the snake had inadvertently entered the territory of a grebe (Scientific name: Podicipedidae).
The snake inadvertently entered the territory of the grebe.
The mother bird sensed the danger and attacked the grass snake to protect her chicks. Being an excellent diver, the grebe always attacks its enemies from underwater. The snake was struck behind the head but was not seriously injured.
Grass snakes typically live near water sources and primarily feed on amphibians. They are non-venomous and kill their prey by constriction. For self-defense, this species of snake secretes a garlic-scented liquid (from a gland near the anus), plays dead, or hisses to scare off threats.
