Monkeys don’t often get caught unawares.
Although presumed to have a largely arboreal lifestyle, they do in fact spend a significant portion of their day on the ground whilst foraging, but sharp-eyed sentries posted in the trees above are usually alert enough to spot any approaching predators. We have recorded monkeys alarming at leopards over 800 metres away, and the larger raptors like Martial eagles will be enough for the sentries to sound a warning.
One predator that can slip under the radar is a reptilian one; the African Rock Python.
Incredibly well camouflaged, these snakes can completely disappear in a thicket or the long grass, and one unlucky monkey met its fate in the coils of just such a creature recently, as witnessed by ranger Fin Lawlor.
The largest African Rock Pythons can grow to in excess of 5 metres long, with some specimens reportedly topping the 6m mark. Although the individual in this particular sighting certainly wasn’t in that category, it was more than capable of asphyxiating a vervet monkey. Pythons kill by wrapping their coils around an animal’s ribcage, and when their victim exhales, the python squeezes just a little bit tighter. With each breath their prey is able to inhale less and less, and eventually cannot take in enough oxygen to remain conscious and dies.
When Fin arrived at the sighting, the monkey was already dead and the python was trying to swallow it headfirst.
What happened next can be seen in the video below, taken by Londolozi guest Wilhelm Weslau:
Interestingly enough reports Fin, the rest of the monkey troop were still in the area, watching the scene unfold from the tree tops but not alarming, which they usually will when one of their number has fallen victim to a predator.
As there was no alarming from the troop and no commotion from the python, Fin and tracker Innocent Ngwenya felt that the hyenas were simply out foraging and happened to be in the area; there was nothing to really draw them to the scene. Hyenas are incredibly curious animals though, investigating any lead that might secure them a meal. There’s always the chance that they glimpsed the vehicles from afar and came to investigate.
Whatever their reason for arriving, there was no way the python was going to be able to compete with them. One can see in the video that it is the monkey the hyenas are after, not the snake. The already-dead primate represented an easier meal so would have been the automatic target. Once the snake realised it was outmatched, it wasted no time in unravelling itself from around the monkey and slithering hastily towards the nearest tree, going up into the branches for safety.
Needless to say, the monkey carcass didn’t last long between three hungry hyenas!
Wow! Amazing sighting. Incredible video footage.
The video was something to see! Wow! While the snakes are incredible creatures, I am quite happy not to see one in person! ? Thanks for sharing the story and the video!
That’s something I never thought I’d see – or that even occurred to me I could see. I’m surprised they didn’t bite the python and chow down on it as well.
Now I’ve seen it all! Incredible footage by guest Wilhelm Weslau. Luck favored Fin and guests that day.
It’s amazing how the trackers and rangers frequently know exactly where yet another fantastic sight is to be found.
That is an incredible sighting! Must have been truly special to witness in person. That uncoil movement of the python was pretty cool to see!
Just as a side note. The African Rock Python (Python sebae) and the Southern African Rock Python (Python natalensis) are now two separate species. Until the reclassification Python natalensis was a subspecies of Python sebae but they are now recognised as two separate species. Only Python natalensis occurs in here in South Africa (its range does extend into southern Africa) whereas Python sebae occurs in central and west Africa.
Thanks so much Declan,
That’s my fault for not classifying properly!
Best regards
Absolutely incredible!!!! I’ve heard of two seperate occasions where a leopard robbed a python of its kill, but never heard of it happening with hyenas!! Ever the opportunists!!
That’s unbelievable- what a sighting!!
survival of the fittest, indeed !!!!
Wow! Something new every day.
Have not seen a python on any of our previous visits.
Thanks for the great sighting!!
Wow what a sighting! My heart was in my mouth when I thought they would go for that awesome Python, but glad that it uncoiled. A relief as I love our African Rock Python. Thank you for the video & write up
Interesting story, unfortunately, the video refuses here……………….
Oh my goodness, I would have absolutely LOVED to have seen this sighting – fantastic footage James!
Hi Marianna,
Thank you but I can’t claim credit. It was our guest Wilhelm who took it.
Regards