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Boa Constrictor vs Gecko
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Boa Constrictor vs Gecko

by SandyRichardsBrown

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted February 12, 2017434 views4 comments
A small boa constricting and eventually consuming a gecko. Nature is harsh sometimes.
Yes, the boa really was this red. Maybe sunburned  cool

Posted in Macro gallery because I used a macro lens, and - it's hard to tell perspective - but the boa was only about 18 inches  long and the gecko maybe 8 inches long. 

You can see the gecko's foot in the top middle, and both heads and eyes (and the boa's open mouth and teeth) on the right. We watched the snake and gecko for a couple hours, and there was little progress in swallowing. However, by morning, the locals, who watched overnight for us, reported the snake finally swallowed the whole thing, unbelievably, and slunk off. 

2014:05:25 10:33:29
Twyfelfontein, Namibia - officially known as ǀUi-ǁAis, is a site of ancient rock engravings in the Kunene Region of north-western Namibia
D800
70-200 macro
1/200 sec, f8 
Mode: AF
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 500
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by Paula LeVay on February 12, 2017 at 7:55 PM
Sandy, it's clear that the outcome was pretty much pre-determined and that all creatures need to eat.  What a fascinating moment it must have been for you to observe!  The Gecko's eye and it's bloody severed tail add even more interest to an already interesting image.
Registered on July 29, 2016, 66 Posts, 270 Comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 13, 2017 at 4:56 AM
Nice image of the activity here. Love the play of reds across the frame.

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by John Robinson on February 13, 2017 at 7:27 AM
Yes, nature is a bit gruesome at times ! Great "as it is " shot.
Made me squirm a bit !
John
Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 15, 2017 at 10:20 AM
Looks like a lot to swallow, Sandy.  The colors and the details in both the snake and the gecko are great.  It's also neat how closely the two match in terms of texture.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments