Several years ago I reported on the chat line an encounter I witnessed
between a red-bellied black snake and an eel in a soak at South Durras.
To cut a long story short, the snake ultimately won out, and having
subdued the eel, reversed along the bank of the water to a dryer
location, where it proceeded to swallow its prey. A fascinating
experience, glistening red and black coils flashing in the sunlight as
the snake struck, once seen not forgotten, especially the bit where it
crawled backward!
Cheers
Rod
On 17/12/2017 5:38 PM, Damian Lettoof wrote:
> Hey all,
>
>
> As a snake ecologist I can confirm snake can reverse, to a certain
> extent. As Shorty and Martin suggested really tight holes, or surfaces
> which may snag their ventral scales can prevent from doing so. But in
> their normal environment they definitely go backwards! They're very
> flexible and capable of micromoving their muscles all around their
> bodies so to go backwards they simply push their muscles in the opposite
> direction, and if need be they can slightly lift the outside edge of
> their ventral scales over what may snag it. It's a slow movement but
> possible. Also if any rear part of their bodies can grab hold of
> something they can use it as an anchor to pull them backwards.
>
>
> Hope that helps 😊
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> DAMIAN LETTOOF | Wildlife Ecologist
>
> 56 Irvine St
> Watson | ACT | 2780 | Australia
>
> +61 401 638 351
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Martin Butterfield <>
> *Sent:* Sunday, 17 December 2017 4:20:26 PM
> *To:* John Leonard
> *Cc:* COG List
> *Subject:* Re: [canberrabirds] A question I have been asked (reptile
> related)
>
> I suspect the answer would depend on just how tight the hole is.
>
> Certainly they get into big trouble if they try to reverse on bird
> netting as the scales don't let them reverse. I suspect in a really
> tight hole they could get stuck in the same way.
>
> Martin Butterfield
> http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/
>
> On 17 December 2017 at 16:08, John Leonard <
> <>> wrote:
>
> I have an undeserved reputation at work as a natural history expert.
> Here's one I have been asked: can a snake reverse, that is if it
> goes down a narrow hole where it can't turn round, can it come out
> backwards?
>
> John Leonard
>
>
>
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