A spotted bush snake ambushes and delivers a fatal blow to a frog twice the size of the snake’s head. The frog fights for its life in the snake’s jaws while the snake tries to swallow it whole.
Frog fights for life in snake’s jaws
“While walking around the confines of the Simbavati Hilltop Lodge in the Timbavati private game reserve, I heard a high-pitched sound. I’ve never heard anything like it before.”“I grabbed my camcorder and looked for the culprit behind this sound. Searching the bushes around the lodge from where the sound was emanating, I was anxious as I did not know what I was looking for, nor what I would find.”
Spotted bush snake
“The only certainty I had is that something is being attacked and killed. What could it be? That is when I came across this incredible scene of a spotted bush snake with a large foam nest frog clasped tightly in its jaws!”
Spotted bush snakes are harmless snakes that prey on frogs and geckos. These bright green snakes, which can be found throughout most of South Africa, are excellent climbers. This gives them an advantage when hunting tree dwelling prey such as tree frogs and lizards.
Snake ambushes and delivers a fatal blow to a frog
“I watched in awe as the frog struggled and fought for its life a few feet away from me. Even though this particular frog was relatively large, I was astounded by how easily this small snake ended the life of this frog.”
“The snake began moving off into the thickets to enjoy this well-deserved meal. After killing the frog, the snake proceeded to swallow the frog whole and digest his large meal in the confines of some thick shrubbery.”
Frog holds on for life
Smaller snakes, such as this spotted bush snake, do not need to eat every day. A meal of this size could satisfy this snake for close to a week. While larger snakes need to eat only once a week, smaller snakes may need to eat twice a week. This all varies according to the size of the prey that the snake has eaten.
“Even though I get to witness the wonders of African nature daily, even for me, seeing a snake catch and eat a frog is something rare, and I consider myself truly lucky.”
The natural world is full of unexpected and brutal battles between predator and prey. In the case of frogs and snakes, the fight for life can be especially gruesome. One unlucky frog found itself in the jaws of a hungry snake, but it refused to go down without a fight.
As the snake’s jaws clamped down on the frog, it struggled with all its might. Its powerful hind legs kicked and thrashed, attempting to break free from the deadly grip of the snake. But the snake was determined to have its meal and tightened its grip even further.
Despite the odds stacked against it, the frog refused to give up. It continued to struggle, twisting and turning in the snake’s jaws, hoping to find a way to escape. Its small size may have made it an easy target for the snake, but it was determined to make it as difficult as possible for its attacker.
As the minutes ticked by, the struggle between the frog and the snake intensified. The snake began to tire, its grip loosening slightly. The frog saw its chance and, with one last burst of energy, it managed to break free from the snake’s jaws.
Exhausted and battered, the frog quickly hopped away to safety, thankful for its life. The battle may have been short-lived, but it was a reminder of the constant struggle for survival that takes place in the natural world. For the frog, the fight may have been a matter of life and death, but it was a testament to its resilience and determination to survive.
