I didn't get a chance to follow up on a post I had on the Dry site or the post I put up here a couple of days ago (busy as hell) and so I don't know what's been said so I'll just add a little more and be done with it...I love snakes period so I hope this isn't turning into a pissing contest because (although it's a cliche it's true) there are so many ways to look at it.
Quickly (and this has happened in Florida): dogs are serious problems for Dry (and other wildlife too of course). Now, a Dry will womp on and devour even a monster D'Back. On the other hand, let that dog (as they and cats have found out to their demise) attack or wander past a big D'Back and that's it - game over. In fact, there's an article in the last issue of Herpetelogical Review that talks about cats coming up missing in these neigborhoods and people seeing "fat" rattlesnakes - turns out that they have been eating these cats! LOL Like I've said, there are so many possible scenarios in nature that who knows what can happen.
I agree with Dean and the comments made by others (including me):a large Indigo on a large King is going to end up most of the time with the king being killed and eaten. But like I said in my post and Dean said again, if a king gets a wrap and reduces the ability of a Dry to use its awesome jaws then the Dry would be in trouble. I agree with AC too - two of that size may avoid one another. If you think about it in terms of evolution, how "smart" would it be for two large snakes to duel it out for a long period where they would draw attention to themselves by other predators? Or you could end up with the two snakes separating and one or both being seriously injured; again, in terms of evolution that's not good for either species.
And both Dry and Kings will separate from prey for whatever reason - I've seen my kings on a number of times pull away from a wimpy little snake or rate because they just don't "want" it - sometimes they are going into ecdysis, sometimes it just what it is! Snakes may not have alot of gray matter upstairs but they are not "stupid" creatures - we all love 'em and they've outlasted our two-legged butts for millions of years and still will!
I've seen a good-sized Dry hurl a large rat against the cage (damm near killed it anyway!) and then just stay back, flick its tongue and basically say "stay away home boy or you'll piss me off and then I WILL eat your as#!" All of us that have kings have had the same experience. A Dry or king snake could be ill or totally! full, etc. You guys know where I'm going with this...
BTW Dean, Sisson is a sick puppy dude! You know, the redhead thing LOL I'll have to tell you some smack he's been talking (joking like he does!) sometimes!
Peace!
-John
