Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Came across this dead juvenile Eastern King found under some tin in Georgia this past weekend. It was covered in fire ants and was relatively fresh.

This is the first time I've seen a dead snake under tin covered in fire ants before. It's interesting that I've found large adult snakes sitting a foot or two away from large mounds and it apears they aren't affected much by the ants. I imagine larger snakes can take a few bites but given the size of juveniles, fire ants are quick and probably swarm the snake before it has a chance to get away. Any thoughts?

Fire ants have been suggested by many to be one cause for the decline of many southeastern ground nesting birds and reptiles.

I know they have had a direct effect on quail populations, and several species of reptiles, including speckled kings in south-central Alabama. That is the claim of Dr. Robert Mount anyway. He and I discussed it one day. It sounds legitimate to me, and would be a great scientific study for anyone interested.

I too have found several reptiles under cover that appeared to have been killed by fireants. Not consumed after death, but directly killed by the ants themselves.

Darned invasive species.

I would like to know if the ants were really the culprits in the snake's demise. My gut says they weren't but maybe it did get cold enough this weekend for the snake to have been slow to react. Perhaps he was injured and/or very near death when he crawled in?? I dunno.
Any other explanation is just a guess I suppose. Like you I have found snakes literally on the mound, so to speak, under boards and aparrently none the worse for wear.
:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

..that I think the ants are just letting us stay here 'til they need us (literally)for food....
:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

Sorry to hear that in the east, as it is all too common in central and south Texas. So many species being decimated by these b*#t@rds that spring and early summer are dissapointing during field trips. Most of the tin I flip has a nest under it. I don't bother with tin much around here unless it is in a really dry are. No moisture=less fire ants. It is amazing how fast they are on still moving road kill! A truely messed up introduced species. We need to import anteaters that like extra spicy food!
Todd Hughes

The snakes that I have seen have the blisters when attacked by ants but that one seems smooth from the pic. Also the snakes I am referring to have survived so that may be the missing link. I do know from way to personal experience that you don't get the blisters for a little while so maybe the ants killed the snake before they had a chance to form.

It is strange how some snakes seem to coexist with the ants under boards while others get nailed by them. I know when I was hunting ground skinks that they where most often found under debris on or near ant mounds. With them it seemed like they where eating the ants but the ants seemed to ignore them. Probably because they are such bad a$$ little skinks. Love those things.

Later Jason

Several months back I woke up in the middle of the night to a strange noise, loud thumping. I got up to check and found my male lavender albino brooksi covered with fire ants. I treated him with some Bactroban to prevent infection and watched the ant bites blister just like they do on me. He, fortunately, was fine after about 5 sheds...Thank goodness. Helane