In an interesting encounter in the Buffelshoek section of the Sabi-Sand Game Reserve, a plated lizard and a snake engaged in a battle.
As submitted by Jors Dannhauser on Latest Sightings, the lizard initially displayed very little resistance when encountering the snake. As though immobilized by fear, it lay motionless as the snake inspected it. This may have also been to avoid detection as snakes are triggered by movement.
Picture: Unsplash/Avinash Uppuluri
The snake spent some time inspecting the lizard’s tail, and then moved to its trunk section.
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After a short while, it gaped widely and moved its mouth along the lizard’s body. Interestingly, there was still no reaction from the lizard.
However, when the snake started moving towards the lizard’s head, the lizard decided that enough was enough.
But, the lizard was a bit too slow in its reaction as the snake had managed to bite it in its lower trunk.
Indeed, the snake was in hot pursuits and went straight for the lizard’s head. Although the lizard made every desperate and brave attempt to escape, its opponent was adamant and was not about to let go.
Biting the lizard, the snake held on while its venom went to work. The ability to ‘spit’ venom is unique to spitting cobras and their elapid relative, the ringhals.
Normally, this ability is deployed as a defensive weapon when they feel threatened. They do not ordinarily do this when hunting, which is what makes the sighting an interesting one.
Watch how it all unfolded, courtesy of Latest Sightings:
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