Watch two vibrant coral snakes battle over a caecilian in a fierce competition caught on camera in Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

The battle lasted 17 minutes with one of the snakes coming out on top with a large meal.

This footage was filmed and produced 22 March 2024.

[Credit: Henrik Bringsoe and Niels Poul Dreyer]

In a mesmerizing display of wildlife interaction, two red-tailed coral snakes have been caught on camera engaging in a fierce competition over a caecilian, marking the first documented instance of kleptoparasitism within the Elapidae family in the wild.

Kleptoparasitism, a phenomenon characterized by food theft, is well-documented across various animal species but has rarely been observed among snakes in their natural habitats.

The groundbreaking observation, detailed in a recent study published in the open-access journal Herpetozoa by researchers Henrik Bringsoe and Niels Poul Dreyer, captures the intense tug-of-war as two Micrurus mipartitus snakes vie for dominance over the limbless amphibian.

The dramatic showdown unfolded amidst the lush rainforests of Valle del Cauca, western Colombia, where the two coral snakes locked horns in a battle for survival. In a surprising turn of events, one snake inadvertently bit the body of its opponent, a phenomenon attributed to the intensity of the struggle rather than deliberate aggression.

After a riveting 17-minute spectacle, the defeated coral snake relinquished its grip on the caecilian, allowing the victor to claim its hard-earned prize before retreating from the scene.

This groundbreaking discovery offers invaluable insights into the intricate dynamics of coral snake interactions with their prey species. Caecilians, renowned for their remarkable adaptations, including toxin resistance and heightened mucus production, exemplify the resilience of wildlife in the face of adversity.