NDR - A meal fit for a king snake

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
A meal fit for a king snake

It's funny how things you have forgotten long ago can pop back into your brain given the proper stimulus. Last night I was reminded that our common Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) is a member of the notorious "king snake" group.

Whilst enjoying a fine dinner with friends - pizza baked in a stone outdoor pizza oven - at the farm of Doug and Peg, some movement in the lawn caught the eye of Rod - who was seated at the south end of the picnic table. About 20 feet from the table, 2 snakes were entwined in mortal combat. Actually, the Milk Snake already had the upper hand (so to speak). True to his king snake heritage, he (she ?) had the head of a Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) firmly within its maw. King snakes are so-named because they will eat other snakes.


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Once the head was in, it was just a matter of time. Both snakes appeared to be about the same size - perhaps 14 inches LOA. Very slowly but very surely, the Brown Snake disappeared into the Milk Snake. After the initial round of discovery and photography, we returned to our meal and left the Milk Snake to his. Forty minutes or so later, about 2 inches of tail remained visible, the rest safely ensconced within the confines of the Milk Snake. A nice big downpour - right around nightfall - ended our observations.



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I am so glad I got to see this predatory drama. Sometimes, you just have to be lucky.


All the best,
SJS

 
Really cool Steve. The only thing to make it better is if a bunch of elementary school kids were there to see it too!
 
Not so lucky for the milk snake...


Unfortunately for me, I ran one about that size, over with the push mower. Chopped him up into little bits. I felt bad. I like to see them around.


Jon
 
Steve, this is really cool.

My grandmother's house was an early (~1700) colonial farmhouse without a real foundation--just stacked stones. Needless to say, the basement abounded with various wildlife. A spring or fall trip down there often revealed a milk snake coiled on top of the warm dryer.

My mother was terrified of snakes, so at one point my grandparents contacted an exterminator to see if there was anything that could be done about the snakes. He said he'd be happy to charge them for snake removal, and was sure he could catch a bunch, but they'd have him back dealing with a rodent problem in short order if they removed them.
 
Tod~

Funny you should say that. Next weekend we will have a bunch of 3 to7-year-olds here. And, earlier yesterday, a Bluebird got trapped in my shop - came down through the stovepipe. When I had it in my hands I could only regret that the kids were not here yet.

All the best,

SJS
 
Tod~

Funny you should say that. Next weekend we will have a bunch of 3 to7-year-olds here. And, earlier yesterday, a Bluebird got trapped in my shop - came down through the stovepipe. When I had it in my hands I could only regret that the kids were not here yet.

All the best,

SJS
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Having a 9 year old on hand at all time is nice for those moments. "GUS... COME LOOK AT THIS..." Then again, there are some downsides to having a 9 year old around all the time too :).
 
Now that is way too cool!
Most biologists go there entire career in the field and only dream of witnessing a king snake eating another snake!
 
Great capture, Steve. I was just wondering about how long the King snake will be holed up some place while its meal digests.
Al
 
Yes Tod, it does just get better and better. And more constant, more silly, more awkward, more detailed. It's WONDERFUL!!!!

Dinner over here once we get settled in?
 
Yes Tod, it does just get better and better. And more constant, more silly, more awkward, more detailed. It's WONDERFUL!!!!

Dinner over here once we get settled in?
Click to expand...

GOOD and YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Now that is way too cool!
Most biologists go there entire career in the field and only dream of witnessing a king snake eating another snake!



How about a northern crested caracara wondering around in a field adjacent a marsh outside of Munising, Michigan? Seriously.
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Good morning, RL~

What's going on with Caracaras? I have seen them only in Texas - a few years ago. But, The Kingbird (September 2015 volume 65:3 of NYS Ornithological Association journal) includes some nice photos of a bird in April 2015 in Orange County (Lower Hudson River Valley).

BTW: Unlike king snakes, Kingbirds are not known to swallow other birds in their entirety.....at least not here in the Empire State.

All the best,

SJS
 
A stray, I would assume. I saw the cluster of cars pulled of the road and slowed down. I usually have a pair of 10X binoculars sitting on the passenger seat in the truck when I drive outside of Marquette. When I noticed that the bystanders were birders, I pulled over and joined the procession. Beyond caracara, I had no clue until someone referenced it in their key. It made the weekly birding column the following week in The Minding Journal.

Not a species I would offer to be one to be released in the wild by a disgruntled or bored "owner".
 
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