Kleptoparasitism in Coral Snakes: A First in the Cobra Family and a Revelation into their Feeding Habits and Interactions in the Wild

In the tropical forests of Valle del Cauca, western Colombia, experts observed a pair of red-tailed coral snakes engaged in a unique behavior. The two snakes were fighting over an amphibian, a Caecilian, which resembled a snake. This was the first recorded case of kleptoparasitism in the Cobra family, which includes venomous species such as mambas, cobras, sea snakes and coral snakes.

The battle between the two coral snakes lasted for 17 minutes before the winner was able to capture its prey. The loser eventually released it, providing researchers with valuable insights into the interactions between coral snakes and their prey. The study by experts Henrik Bringsoe and Niels Poul Dreyer revealed that the prey may have developed adaptations to resist toxins and increase mucus production to survive such encounters.

While parasitic predatory behavior may be more common in captivity, this occurrence in natural habitats is not well-documented due to the elusive nature of coral snakes. This unique observation contributes significantly to our understanding of their feeding habits and interactions with other species in their natural environment.

Experts have highlighted that kleptoparasitism is rare among snakes in their natural habitats, making this observation significant. The study published in Herpetosis sheds light on this surprising behavior of coral snakes in the wild and provides valuable insights into their feeding habits and interactions with other species.