Skink vs. Snake

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fvachss
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Skink vs. Snake

Post by fvachss »

I can't take any credit for this one, but my wife was leading a nature hike in Newbury Park today and came across this battle royale between a western skink and a ringneck snake alongside the trail. She was able to watch for a good 10 minutes before she was obliged to head off with her students and the victor was not yet obvious. Here are a few of her shots (better than any I've taken all year - I'm super envious).

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Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by Steve Bledsoe »

What a great find and great group of photos.
That ring-neck looks large compared to the ones we find here in Orange County. Do you know what subspecies it is - just curious.

Thanks for posting the photos.
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Carl Brune
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by Carl Brune »

That's pretty awesome, with the ringneck wrapping some coils around skink and all.
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regalringneck
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by regalringneck »

... yeah, id say a fortuitous find! Not much doubt how this ended up if they were'nt disturbed. The lizard biting the snakes body is a good defense, when the snake is non-venomous. Ida been particularly curious how birds nearby responded to the scene & ventral colors. ... : }
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monklet
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by monklet »

Never thought of Ring-necked as constrictors but surely appears the case here.
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Fundad
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by Fundad »

Great set of photos and field observation.....

The Ringnecks that eat skinks and legless lizards obtain a larger size in General, than those that eat slender salamanders, species and subspecies is irrelevant...

IME with Ringnecks the wraps are more about holding the prey down during envenomation, not really constricting them.

Fundad
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Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by Steve Bledsoe »

I was wondering about what appears to be a constricting action with this snake.
Interesting.

I keep a regalis, and I feed it skinks, but I have not seen it use this technique of holding its prey.
It also doesn't seem to want to eat very often either.
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monklet
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by monklet »

Is it a ring-less regalis Steve? How big is it?

I had a lyre that appeared to very strongly apply constriction to mice within perfect coils. I have little doubt that it was such.
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Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by Steve Bledsoe »

Hey Brad,
It's about 17" long and has a nice wide yellow neck ring ..... (not from CA!)

Lyre snakes, to my knowledge, are known constrictors. Their constricting powers, however, are fairly weak.
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monklet
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by monklet »

Mine sure didn't look weak to me.
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Fundad
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by Fundad »

Mine sure didn't look weak to me.
I got $5 on my kingsnake winning rounds 1, 2, and 3.. jk LOL

Fundad
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El Garia
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by El Garia »

Whoa! What an excellent post. Mucho gusto. :D

Great photographs, btw.



Fundad- lol
hellihooks
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Re: Skink vs. Snake

Post by hellihooks »

My SD ringneck adapted quite well to Night Lizards...and would wrap them up in multiple coils, till (as Brian said) their venom took effect. Very cool series... :thumb: jim
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