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Texas Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus) Feeding on a Hummingbird

By

Michael Weidner




This herpetological photo opportunity presented itself to me as I sat enjoying my morning coffee and watching the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds around the feeder in front of our home located about 20 miles north of Austin in Travis County, Texas. Apparently, I had not been the only observer watching the hummingbirds as they were visiting the feeder.

Without warning, a juvenile Texas Rat Snake, Pantherophis obsoletus which looked to be about 18 to 24 inches in length, struck from a tree limb and managed to catch this female hummingbird. I quickly retrieved my digital camera and took this series of photographs as the snake constricted and consumed the bird.

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Texas Rat Snake Image 1

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Texas Rat Snake Image 2

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Texas Rat Snake Image 3

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Texas Rat Snake Image 4

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Texas Rat Snake Image 5

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Texas Rat Snake Image 6

Texas Rat Snake Image 7.jpg 65.9K
Texas Rat Snake Image 7

Texas Rat Snake Image 8.jpg 74.5K
Texas Rat Snake Image 8

Click the thumbnail to see the full-sized image.


All photos © 2006 by Michael Weidner


Date submitted 02/28/07




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