Crocodile caught feasting on snake in 'highly unusual' photo captured off Aussie island
The crocodile circled back for a few minutes before taking off with its unusual catch, the photographer told Yahoo.
A nature-loving Aussie living in the Top End was going about his morning routine last week, enjoying his coffee while taking in a view of the ocean and some bird songs, when he spotted a "highly unusual situation" in the water.
Indigenous man Craig Winston said he walked out to the cliffs on Melville Island, off the Northern Australia coast, after waking up on Wednesday “to see what the tides were doing and snap some bird pics”. It was then he spotted the unusual scene, noticing a crocodile swimming away from the shore with “something in her mouth”.
“I started taking [photos], and it was almost like the crocodile was proudly showing off her kill to me as she circled back for a few minutes before taking off,” the ecology student who has “always lived in the bush” told Yahoo News on Monday.
In its mouth was a sizeable snake.
After heading home, Craig said he reviewed the images and initially believed the item in the croc’s mouth was a carpet python. He then noticed its “black head, scales and patterns” and asked experts online to confirm the snake was in fact a black-headed python (Aspidites melanocephalus).
“A highly-unusual situation/scenario but consensus is that the snake is Aspidites melanocephalus so far,” he posted. “Just being thorough and posting here to see what you mob reckon.” Others were quick to agree with Craig’s “good observation”.
The photographer said he lives near where the forest “kisses the sea”, and the area features “small eroding cliffs with numerous felled trees”. And, of course, plenty of opportunity to witness the weirder side of nature.
“I’m hypothesising that the black-headed python was either hunting by the shoreline near the cliffs or that she fell off the cliffs while pursuing prey, down one of the felled trees,” he said.
“I’ve never seen a crocodile eating a black-headed python before but I’m not surprised as crocodiles are opportunists and will eat anything they can catch, kill or scavenge.”
Craig said he believes the location played a big role in the unique sighting.
“Perfect habitat for a black-headed python and crocodile to exist,” he added.
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