Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is a series of pics sent to me by a co-worker of a couple he found on his hunting lease in Georgia.

That is so AWESOME! Probably a little territorial battle between what looks like a couple of well matched males.

Doug T
www.DougTaylorReptiles.com

I would agree, both awesome and a territory battle, although not as brutal as what I've seen of the Texans.
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Todd Hughes

Truly amazing...Thank you for posting this rarely seen event. And kudos to your hunting buddy for documenting it, not just rushing in and disturbing them. Did he happen to say how it ended? (please don't say along came a logging truck...)

I think males combating, what say the brethrin'? Have any of you breeders ever allowed your males to combat? I'm sure it would be risky, and I am not suggesting it, I just wondered if it would likley occur.

Great and rare photos, I bet the guys on the FHF would like to see them.

Vic H.

Todd, I think you have made some of the most consistent observations in the field: How do these combat events usually end? Have you witnessed it until the end deep in the heart of Texas? Comments? Is there likely a female nearby waiting for the winner?

Vic H.

There's always a female nearby, maybe not in sight but where i see it happening, it is near a females permanent den site. Both times I have seen this, it ends up in one male, usually the smaller one being shredded, both males get severely scarred but one usually shreds the other until it flees the area, with the victor in hot pursuit. I did see a fairly short but very stout male with some horrific battle scars hanging around the sisters' den a few years in a row, but he was not the male that mated the pair of females. He was persistent in hanging around the area, about 50 yards from the den, my thought was that he once was "king", but was usurped. Once the rival male was engaged with the females, the subordinate didn't matter. I bet sperm plugs are involved here. My .02. Hopefully, I'll catch this on "film" myself!
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Todd Hughes

Thanks Jeff...these are worth waiting for grass to grow between my toes!!! There had to be a female close by as well. This is the mating season for them in Florida and south Georgia. What great pictures!!!

Dan

Very cool pics, probably some of the most noteworthy I have seen in a VERY long time!

I have heard of people battling males to induce breeding, from what i hear it's very violent but no biting...good thing.

Nate

Yeah I agree, Bravo and all the kudos available. WOW, very Awesome and rare. So Jeff, was this recent? I assume hunting season just recently opened in South Georgia and these were taken while he was out in the feild ? Thank you for sharing these fantastic photos!!!!!

Wow!Awesome series of pics! It always seems to be folks who are not looking for snakes that see the coolest snake activity. A while back a co-worker of mine was out running and witnessed two male helleri battling it out.

reako45

I had a 2 year old male get out of his inclosure and get into
a 3 year olds inclosure a couple of years back. He could have
gone out the window but wanted to fight instead. They were at it pretty good for awhile. I pulled them apart after a few minutes.
Also I remember most of the old males id see in the stores in
south florida in the early 70s being scared up. They have one
thing on thier mind right now and it aint food,

NICE!!!! I would have loved to be there to see some live combat!
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"He who would stifle debate rather than engage in it, does so at the expense of his integrity and credibility"

Mike Curtin