16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Combat Dance of two Male Snakes

As these two snakes coil around each other in a seemingly affectionate tussle of mating, all is not as it seems. These are actually two male Rat Snakes who are in combat for dominance, to prove who is the strongest of the pack. While no mating is involved, the two snakes perform the 'dance’ by wrapping around each other and raising their upper bodies in an attempt to subdue each other. Location: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh State, India

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2018
Photo Location: bandhavgarh national park, Madhya Pradesh, India, India
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Copyright: © Mainak Ray