Rat snake having dinner (12 pics)

JenGrace

I was at Mead Gardens in Winter Park, FL and just happened to glance down and see a baby rat snake (about 10 inches long) exploring the edge of a pond. I was happy just to find him, but then he started eating. Even better!


1. "Sniffing" out dinner.


2. Found a nice dead lizard to eat.


3. "How do I eat this thing, anyways?"


4. "Maybe if I turn it this way..."


5. "Nope, that didn't work."


6. "What if I turn my head this way?"


7. "Now I've got it!"


8. "Now to dislocate my jaw..."


9. "Just a little more room."


10. "There it goes..."


11. "Down the hatch!"


12. "Now that I've got this big lump in my neck, I think I'll go take a nap and digest this thing."

ShepsMom

Great shots and funny captures! Well done Jen!!

jwear

very good capture

Harryb

:wow what a fantastsic set of shots

JenGrace

Thanks for looking, folks! Finding that little snake was pretty lucky for me...I'd almost given up for the morning.

bfjr

Yep that's what happens sometimes when ya don't give up

Very cool and I'm sure quite filling

Albert Dickson

Nice series Jen
That is a real good looking lil serpent. Nice colors. Being a constrictor I find it interesting that it took carion as a meal. Snakes not raised in captivity most often will refuse any but live prey. It is the scent and body temp that gets thier juices going. Great series.

I had not thought about Mead Gardens in years. I grew up near there but have not been back in years.

raptorcaptor

Nice set!

JenGrace

Thanks for looking, all of you. :

dbaker1221

awesome captures.

JenGrace

dbaker1221 wrote:

awesome captures.

Thank you!

Maestro

I love these behavior shots. Great captures and nice series!

kdog

Mmmm... salamander... the other, other, other white meat. :eat

Great series, Jen.

-joel

JenGrace

Thanks, both of you! :

Joel, I couldn't really tell because it was so decomposed, but I think the snake is eating an anole, an annoying little lizard that likes to run under your feet as you're walking.