Mutual mortality of great horned owl and southern black racer: a potential risk of raptors preying on snakes

Roger W. Perry; Raymond E. Brown; Craig Rudolph

doi:10.1676/0043-5643(2001)113[0345:mmogho]2.0.co;2

Treesearch

Mutual mortality of great horned owl and southern black racer: a potential risk of raptors preying on snakes

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Roger W. Perry, Raymond E. Brown, Craig Rudolph

Year:

2001

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1676/0043-5643(2001)113[0345:mmogho]2.0.co;2

Source:

Wilson Bulletin. 113(3): 345-347

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Abstract

We encountered a dead southern black racer snake (Coluber constrictor priapus) coiled around a dead Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). We suggest the owl was strangled by the snake before the snake did of wounds inflicted by the owl. There are previous reports of intense physical struggle between Great Horned Owls (and other raptors) and large constrictors but this is the first documented report of mutual mortality between a Great Horned Owl and a snake.

Citation

Perry, Roger W.; Brown, Raymond E.; Rudolph, D. Craig. 2001. Mutual mortality of great horned owl and southern black racer: a potential risk of raptors preying on snakes. Wilson Bulletin. 113(3): 345-347.