Rare documentation: Achsan snakes in a deadly dance to gain the attention of a snake
Is there anything more romantic than that?
A hiker in Indiana captured on camera two woodpeckers in a dance-fight for the attention of a snake.
Although these are poisonous snakes, they were busy courting and did not notice the traveler's presence: "You are very lucky that a female occupied them"
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09/27/2022
Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 11:40 p.m
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Cobra Snake vs. Python: Who will win this brutal snake fight?
(YouTube)
Nick Angler was hiking in Indiana when he spotted two male rattlesnakes waiting for him ahead of time.
The snakes were observed during a unique mating ritual which is actually a courtship competition for a nearby female.
Although these are poisonous and deadly snakes - they were busy with their own and did not notice the traveler.
Nick was hiking on the Grubb Ridge Trail near Bloomington, Indiana, when he noticed giant lizards blocking his path and performing a strange battle-dance for the attention of a snake.
He filmed them moving back and forth in dance steps with their heads raised a few feet off the ground.
Engler shared his video on Facebook, where it garnered a flurry of onlookers who were alternately shocked and intrigued.
"These are two male snakes engaged in ritual combat," Engler commented below his post.
Since the snakes are endangered in Indiana, he didn't think anyone would believe him so he started filming what was happening.
He added: "They're trying to assert dominance to impress a nearby female. No snakes died. Not in this case either. One just walked away after about 20 minutes. The way they hung vertically looked like those videos of the hypnotized snakes - and it just didn't look Real at first. I've never seen anything like it. From what I've been told by several snake enthusiasts, it's extremely rare to witness it."
Watch their engrossing dance:
According to experts at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the state is home to 32 native species of snakes — only four of which are venomous — including the beam rattlesnake, which many commenters on Angler's Facebook post said the snakes he encountered likely belonged to.
Male rattlesnakes are known to engage in a strange mating ritual that looks like a battle dance, with both trying to court a nearby female.
In Angler's video the female is not visible, but she is probably lurking somewhere nearby.
Witnessing such a sighting is quite rare, experts say, because these snakes are known to be more solitary and shy.
"Stags are really secretive animals, let alone fighting in public, but once you're there and witness it, they're pretty oblivious to the world around them. They're focused on that fight," herpetologist Phil Kolkoch told WBIR after a similar incident in 2019.
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The woodpeckers can reach a length of 100-150 cm and a weight of 2.5 kg and they feed mainly on rodent species.
They can also be found in much of the northeastern US - but they usually don't act aggressively towards humans unless provoked.
Engler's videos prompted a variety of reactions on Facebook. "I shouldn't have watched it.
It would probably give me nightmares.
Glad you spotted them before.
Take care," one wrote and another added: "Absolutely unbelievable.
A stunning sight.
Amazing video.
Thank you very much".
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