Spotted an unusual 'S' curve on the water beside a tree through some vegetation. It looked a bit rough. A closer look through the lens confirmed it to be a snake...most likely a mangrove pit viper (a.k.a. shore pit viper). It soon started moving and i saw its head.
This was definitely a pit viper. It must have got caught by the fast rising tide on a low branch and had to take to the water to get to higher wood. It kept swimming to various stems in the water but did not get a snakehold on any of them. After some time on the water surface, it managed to slither up the bark of a small tree. As it moved further up, a small stem with leaves slightly below it moved as well. I did not think that the movement was caused by the snake as it was a rather small snake (about 35 cm long) and was unlikely to cause such movement.
Looking down, i saw an elongated dark log just below the snake. It had not been there before when the snake had started moving up. I then noticed that the dark log had teeth...very sharp teeth. It was quickly obvious that the snake's swimming on the water surface around the tree had caused a perceptible disturbance which alerted the nearby crocodile to investigate.
The croc eyed the viper for a few seconds before opening its mouth targeting the snake. I had initially assumed that the croc had succeeded in ending the viper's earth time as i could not see any trace of the viper after the croc targeted it. The croc moved away to a nearby rut along the waterline.
I wondered if the viper could inflict a bite on the croc. The mangrove pit viper is a highly venomous snake after all.
(background audio recorded separately on site closeby - dubbed in during editing as mic was switched off during original video recording)
This particular croc is known as the 'Tailless' croc because it was missing its tail after some unfortunate encounter presumably with another croc. 'Tailless' or 'half-a croc' is now one of the larger crocs in the reserve and frequently moves between the main bridge area and the adjacent saltwater pond served by the sluice gate near the main bridge. It was waiting to move from the mangrove into the pond due to the rising tide. Crocs prefer dry land or shallow water to rest in so that they do not have to constantly raise their heads and nostrils above the water to breathe air. They would have to constantly do this if stuck in deeper water.
A few minutes later, I saw the pit viper on a nearby low branch. It appeared fine and must have escaped the croc's jaws. Perhaps there had been a exercise of professional courtesy... between two reptiles with unforgiving personalities.
Read more about these amazing animals :-
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/purpureomaculatus.htm
and also about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve : https://www.sbwr.org.sg
and also about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve : https://www.sbwr.org.sg
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