Raw Nature

Well, we had a ten minute mini-drama in the garden this afternoon. Don’t worry, I captured it all on, uh, film. Memory. SD card. You get the idea.

It started with the Wife, noticing that one of the dogs was in a pointing position. So she turned to look at what he was fixated on, and jumped from the garden all the way into the house uttering some kind of noise that communicated disgust, revulsion and other rather strong, emotions. As I went outside she simply said “A snake caught a toad in the garden.”

My initial reaction was “Really?!?” I’m pretty sure she was heading for the shower.

So the kids and I were treated to a little bit of Nature at her rawest. Well, maybe not rawest, but how often do you get to watch a snake eat a toad in your backyard?

When I got there initially, the snake had the toad by one of it’s rear legs. It looked like the toad should have been able to make a good jump and escape. But when it did that, it was unsuccessful. Only escaping up to its foot. The snake quickly recaptured its lost ground.

And that’s where the pictures pick up from. If you are a snake-o-phobe or bear any of Indiana Jones’ attitude toward snakes, do not click on the jump link.

You have been warned.

I’ll be honest, I know that snakes can unhinge their jaw, but looking at the toad and the snake, I was thinking the toad would get away because I had my doubts the snake could manage to swallow something that much bigger than it.

And right here, I realized how wrong I was. Remember, don’t argue with Nature. Or a hungry snake. Also, apparently, toads are pretty squishable.

The lass tried to be funny saying “I hope the toad doesn’t poop now!” I told her that’s actually something toads do in order get a predator to let them go. If this toad was doing that, it didn’t work here.

The kids and I had gotten a little too close, so the snake took his meal under a nearby plant. He didn’t go far and we did our best not to gawk to awkwardly. As you’ll see with the remaining photos, I don’t think he was too bothered by us.

Right here, the kids were remarking that the toad was still alive. They could see it continuing to breathe.

Here was the angle for seeing the toad still breathing. But pictures don’t move. Unless we’re in Harry Potter’s world. If toads could hope, that might have crossed his mind. Then Neville could have saved him from Nagini.

From here, the pictures speak for themselves.

Having finished the job, it looks like the snake is hinging it jaw here.

And that’s a wrap.

A rather satisfied looking critter, wouldn’t you say?