Hi Gwenyth (and anyone who might be interested). These aren't a
mating pair, but two males competing for mating rights. They are of
pretty much equal size, and are totally entwined. Once one has
established his superior strength in a wrestle, the 'loser' slips
away and leaves the winner with conjugal rights to the area. Very
civilised.
A mating pair aren't nearly as well-matched for size - the male can
be a lot larger than the female - and, perhaps counter-intuitively,
don't intertwine but lie quietly side by side, joined, for up to an
hour.
It's a fair assumption to make though, and I've certainly jumped to
the same erroneous conclusion in the past.
cheers
Ian
On 25/03/2012 14:59, Kevin and Gwenyth Bray wrote:
I haven't seen many snakes, but
in December, with some Brazilian billets our choir was
hosting, we were at Tidbinbilla when we came across a wild
life photographer, who had just finished taking pictures of
mating red-bellied black snakes. I did the same. Later he
showed us where another pair was. These were in the wetlands
area.
This is the picture I took
Gwenyth Bray
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