slug eaters fighting?

Observed by rhoda
Botanical Society of South AfricaCustodians of Rare and Endangered WildflowersIndigenous Bulb Association of South AfricaOverberg Lowlands Conservation Trust
rhoda's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles on 9th October 2009
(Added to iSpot on 25th March 2013)
slug eaters fighting?
slug eaters

the darker snake had just shed its skin (bottom RH corner of second photo) and the other two seemed to be trying to hurt the darker one.

Location: Napier
Identifications
Species interactions

No interactions present.

Other observations of Common slugeater (Duberria lutrix subsp. lutrix)

Species with which Common slugeater (Duberria lutrix subsp. lutrix) interacts

Comments

Mating?

25 March 2013 - 9:32pm — tony rebelo
iSpot TeamBotanical Society of South Africa A-teamCape Bird ClubEntomological Society of Southern AfricaFriends of Tokai ParkProtea Atlas ProjectSenior Scout AdventureSouth African National Biodiversity InstituteSouth African National Parks Honorary RangersToyota Enviro Outreach
tony rebelo's reputation in Amphibians and Reptilestony rebelo's reputation in Amphibians and Reptilestony rebelo's reputation in Amphibians and Reptilestony rebelo's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

Mating?

2 smaller males trying to

25 March 2013 - 10:28pm — LvDLvD's reputation in Amphibians and ReptilesLvD's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

2 smaller males trying to mate with the big female I suppose

The darker one wasn't

26 March 2013 - 7:36am — rhoda
Botanical Society of South AfricaCustodians of Rare and Endangered WildflowersIndigenous Bulb Association of South AfricaOverberg Lowlands Conservation Trust
rhoda's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

The darker one wasn't actively involved in the 'battle', so the 'mating scene' is probably right. thanks!

Great shots Rhoda

26 March 2013 - 8:48am — Bushboy
BirdLife South Africa
Bushboy's reputation in Amphibians and ReptilesBushboy's reputation in Amphibians and ReptilesBushboy's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

Never seen this behaviour with this most inoffensive of little snakes. Mating drive is powerful.

Thanks. The snakes were at it

26 March 2013 - 7:01pm — rhoda
Botanical Society of South AfricaCustodians of Rare and Endangered WildflowersIndigenous Bulb Association of South AfricaOverberg Lowlands Conservation Trust
rhoda's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

Thanks. The snakes were at it for a long time - I had time to fetch my camera, and they took no notice of me.

You know they're viviparous?

27 March 2013 - 3:24am — Bushboy
BirdLife South Africa
Bushboy's reputation in Amphibians and ReptilesBushboy's reputation in Amphibians and ReptilesBushboy's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

That big dark mama would've produced up to 22 80mm 'earthworms' - perfect little replicas in late summer.

Did you ever see them 'tabakrolling'? - curling up in a tight roll, often emitting a musky smell when stressed.

Lovely little snakes.

tabakrol

27 March 2013 - 6:58am — rhoda
Botanical Society of South AfricaCustodians of Rare and Endangered WildflowersIndigenous Bulb Association of South AfricaOverberg Lowlands Conservation Trust
rhoda's reputation in Amphibians and Reptiles

Haven't seen them do the tabak roll! I don't worry them, so they probably don't need to roll up. I've sometimes seen small ones, but not the size of earthworms, unless I mistook them for earthworms. Will look more carefully - now's the time.