Hi everyone! My 7year old had brought back a book on King cobra's. It listed the reticulated python as a threat to the King Cobra. Anyone ever heard of this. I read on this board and in some snake books that a reticulated python sometimes becomes a meal for a king.
Does the retic have some immunity against a bite?
Is it possible for the retic to constrict a king without getting bit?
Obviously these two do not face-off with one another(like on Animal Planet)would a retic see a king as a possible food source?
In which country(ies), do these two share the same habitat?
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King Cobra v. Reticulated Python
demillar
Oct 14, 2004 09:50 PM
Replies (4)
rearfang
Oct 15, 2004 08:07 AM
In the old clasic SNAKES; A NATURAL HISTORY bt H.W. Parker there is a photo of a Retic killing a King Cobra. This took place (in the wild) in western Malaysia.
Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."
mr_swope
Oct 15, 2004 10:08 AM
I would be inclined to think that the python killed the cobra out of reflex after being bit, not because it was hungry.
I would also be inclined to think that the python didnt last long after the encounter, as any such showdown would involve it getting bit by the cobra.
psilocybe
Oct 15, 2004 10:39 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that retics have killed kings in the wild on occasion, but I would tend to believe this to be a defensive reaction to being threatened or preyed upon by the king...kings do make meals out of appropriately sized retics in the wild.
rearfang
Oct 15, 2004 05:05 PM
It's an interesting question because the caption does not say the Retic ate the King. It is implied that there is at least a partial immunity to the coba's venom but it does not say specifically. it would be fascinating to find out if anyone has done work on that.
Still I would not rule out the attempt at predation by the Retic as they are a known snake eater. But like with the Mongoose, I would think there is a certain amount of casualties on either side of the encounter. Probably very much like the relationship between Fla kingsnakes and Racers where the larger and more powerful* wins.
Frank
*though in the case of Cobras substitute venom, if it gets to bite.
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."
