Sometimes, when the time comes, there are no options to avoid the jaws of a larger and stronger animal. A tiger snake in Hoedspruit, South Africa, discovered this the hard way when it found itself the prey of a hungry boomslang.
Tegan Thomson caught this snake on snake violence on camera and sent the footage in to Latest Sightings. She spotted the tiger snake first, as it was on the ground just outside of her kitchen, and it appeared something had already attacked it.
In a tree above, Tegan saw the boomslang snake emerging from a red weaver nest, and start working its way down the trunk to the vulnerable tiger. Whether or not the boomslang was responsible for the tiger snake’s initial injuries is unknown.
On The Defensive
The boomslang used its larger size to its advantage, quickly surrounding the tiger snake with its long body and preventing it from easily escaping. Without any way out, the tiger coiled itself up, preparing to fight its way out in an attempt for survival.
No doubt knowing it was not in a strong position, the tiger snake decided to try and get the first blow in, and it struck the boomslang, or at least, it attempted to. Unfortunately for the tiger, this was not quite the quick and decisive strike it had hoped for.
Instantly Overpowered
Although the tiger snake tried to strike first, the boomslang looked as though it had already had the same idea, or its reactions were just far quicker than the tiger expected.
Either way, the boomslang completely overran the tiger snake’s attack, and immediately overpowered its opponent, seizing the tiger snake in its jaws and beginning to carry it off into the garden.
One Last Hurrah
At this point, the writing was already on the wall. Against the boomslang, the tiger snake did not have a high chance of survival, but it was determined not to go down without putting up a good fight.
It managed to coil itself around the boomslang, and put up enough resistance that the boomslang was forced to let it go. This was the last chance the tiger snake would have would try and make an escape.
Having already been fighting for its life, and facing the complete dominance of the boomslang, the tiger snake was unable to properly capitalize on this opportunity, and its last moments of defiance ended abruptly when the boomslang seized it again.
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Victory Meal
Further down Tegan’s garden, in the shelter of some large plants, the boomslang enjoyed its victory meal. The tiger snake had attempted to put up a fierce resistance, but it just wasn’t enough for it to cling to life.
It was difficult to see either snake in their cover, but here the tiger met its unfortunate end as the boomslang swallowed it. Many safari goers might spend considerable time searching for a sighting like this, but Tegan saw the whole thing unfold from the comfort of her garden.
Amazing sightings can always be just around the corner, and at any moment two snakes might come down from a tree and begin fighting for their very lives.
