Texas Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus) Feeding on a Hummingbird

By

Michael Weidner

This herpetological photo opportunity presented itself to me as I sat enjoying my morning coffee and watching the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds around the feeder in front of our home located about 20 miles north of Austin in Travis County, Texas. Apparently, I had not been the only observer watching the hummingbirds as they were visiting the feeder.

Without warning, a juvenile Texas Rat Snake, Pantherophis obsoletus which looked to be about 18 to 24 inches in length, struck from a tree limb and managed to catch this female hummingbird. I quickly retrieved my digital camera and took this series of photographs as the snake constricted and consumed the bird.

Texas Rat Snake Image 1	Texas Rat Snake Image 2
Texas Rat Snake Image 3	Texas Rat Snake Image 4
Texas Rat Snake Image 5	Texas Rat Snake Image 6
Texas Rat Snake Image 7	Texas Rat Snake Image 8

Click the thumbnail to see the full-sized image.

All photos © 2006 by Michael Weidner

Date submitted 02/28/07

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