Snake Found Pierced to Death After Eating a Hedgehog

Snakes are pretty much the apex predators at the top of the food chain, specifically when we talk about small mammals. Mice, rats, and any other small furry creatures should beware when there is a snake around! Still, sometimes, the traditional hunter/prey power dynamic turns on its head. In fact, a recent gallery of photos from Israel shows us something incredible; a snake in a bit of a… pokey situation. Check it out below.

See a Snake Trying to Eat a Hedgehog

While out on a dog walk, some people recently noticed a rather strange sight: a snake had died during an attempt at eating a hedgehog! They called an ecologist to come check out this scene, figuring it could be valuable for the scientific community to see. Once the expert got there, they confirmed the snake had made a fatal mistake by trying to eat the hedgehog, and both animals died as a result!

The snake was a black whipsnake, a nonvenomous species that grows all over the world. Despite being nonvenomous themselves, they are rather famous for eating other venomous species but mostly focus on small mammals and birds. The hedgehog was one of the three species common in Israel, all of which usually eat things like insects, birds, and even snakes (albeit very small ones).

Essentially, the hedgehog’s quills pierced the snake through the mouth and throat. Through the trauma of the piercing quills and also the inability to breathe or fully swallow, the snake eventually died. At the same time, the hedgehog’s quills had held it in place, ensuring that it wasn’t going to escape either. Its defenses had killed the attacker, but they didn’t save the hedgehog itself (there has to be a lesson in that!). The ecologist said that this was a rare case of natural selection since snakes usually know not to try and eat hedgehogs.

The Strange Mechanics of Snake Jaws

Snakes have a remarkable (and somewhat strange) ability to swallow very large prey. Their evolutionary adaptations give them some incredibly flexible jaws and ribs. Essentially, the two halves of their lower jaw do not connect at the front and only have a flexible ligament. When it’s time to swallow something, a snake can then open its mouth wider than its body and move its upper jaw over the prey in a side-to-side motion (something called a “pterygoid” walk). Also, the snake’s backward-pointing teeth help to grip the prey and pull it into the throat.

However, swallowing large prey also poses some risks for snakes (clearly). Due to their metabolism, digestion can take a long time, and they are very vulnerable during this period. Additionally, things can get stuck, as seen above, and the resulting complications are just too much for the snake to deal with. In some cases, the snake will regurgitate the meal, but in others, it means the end!

Snake Species In Israel

The snake that ate the hedgehog was a black whipsnake, the longest snake in its home region. They don’t pose a danger to humans and can actually be “beneficial” due to their role in eating rodents and other venomous snakes. That said, it isn’t the only snake in the region! There are around 42 snake species in Israel, of which only nine are venomous and truly dangerous to humans.

One of the most dangerous snakes in Israel is the Palestine viper. They can grow up to 1.5 meters long and are brownish-grey with irregular spots. They are among the most common venomous snakes in the area. In fact, they are officially the national snake of Israel!

Another venomous snake somewhat common (although not as common as the Palestine viper) is the painted saw-scaled viper. These snakes have a very noticeable pattern of reddish, black, and white scales along their spines. They are quite small, usually reaching 75 cm at their largest.

These are some of the most venomous snakes in Israel, but there are also many harmless and beneficial snakes that play an important role in the ecosystem. Snakes are protected by law in Israel and should not be harmed or disturbed, as their role is important in maintaining balance across the ecosystems found in the region.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © selim kaya photography/Shutterstock.com