I saw a title about "body bridging" on this board somewhere, but I can't find it. "Body bridging" is the defensive posture taken by some snakes, including pit vipers, in the presence of a King Snake. In that thread, no one had a photo. And I've never seen it, only read about it. Here is a clip from a National Geographic show depicting an encounter between a King Cobra and a Rat Snake (I know, different species, but I'm interested in the posture of the Rat). Is the defensive posture taken by the Rat Snake in the video "body Bridginging?"
Discuss?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DrO6HY8DNm4
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Body Bridging?
SkyChimp
Mar 09, 2007 08:13 PM
Replies (2)
SkyChimp
Mar 09, 2007 08:17 PM
BTW, I have a corn snake that sort of acted this way (but not as dramatic) when I reached for her after handling my Eastern King.
Aaron
Mar 09, 2007 10:59 PM
No that is not body bridging. The rat snake appears to be a radiated ratsnake and is doing their typical puff up the neck and raise in a defensive strike position. The only place I have actually seen pictures of body bridging was in a book I checked out at the library and unfortunately I can't remember the title. It may have been Lawrence Klauber's Rattlesnakes two volum set but I'm not sure. Anyways the rattlsnake basicly keeps it's head on the ground and makes an upside down U with it midbody and attempts to hit the kingsnake with it.
