When I first looked at it I thought it was some kind of genetic oddity, but now I think you're on to something. I found a slightly larger photo here, and it does indeed look like the leg is part of something the snake ate. Most small lizards have pretty weak legs, flimsy toes, and short claws, so I don't think it clawed its way through the snake's side. What is more likely, in my opinion, is that something happened similar to the python that "exploded" in Florida - the snake ate a large meal, and then not being able to move quickly enough to cover, got attacked by a predator that punctured a hole in the snake's side, causing part of the prey to protrude. In this case, I think it might have been some kind of raptor that grabbed the snake but then dropped it due to its weight.



Although it's unfortunate that the woman beat it to death with a shoe, it probably wouldn't have lived too much longer anyway.
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- Natalie

(San Francisco Bay Area)

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