It’s not every day that you get to witness a predator-predator interaction quite like the sighting I’ll explain below. We were exploring a relatively open section of the reserve when a sudden movement caught our attention. Swooping like a fighter jet we watched as a Brown Snake Eagle crash landed not ten meters from our vehicle. A bold manoeuvre for a raptor that is typically quite wary of being so close to the vehicles.

Immediately both Euce and I knew something significant was unfolding. Eagles in general are calculated hunters and a dive like that meant only one thing, it had locked onto prey. These Eagles are known to hunt from a perch that acts as an ideal vantage point for them to scan the surrounding areas. Everything happened so quickly that there was no time to grab a camera or even fully process what was occurring. Within seconds the Eagle was amongst the long grass clearly trying to stomp and bite something it had in the grasp of its talons.

Now as the name suggests the Brown Snake Eagle is well known for its ability to successfully target a variety of snake species found in the surrounding area. In fact, records suggest that these incredible snakes have successfully caught and killed snakes ranging up to 3 meters in length, a feat worthy of acknowledging considering that some of these snakes are Black Mambas, Cobras and Pythons. All of which have an obvious threat towards this amazing eagle, their venom. Having visited a few Eagle Rehabilitation centers in my time I know all too well that a diet that includes dangerous snakes amongst other types of small mammals and reptiles is a particularly dangerous occupation. It is not uncommon even with their heavily scaled, featherless legs to catch a bite here and there, which depending on the snake species can be potentially fatal for that unlucky eagle. Although, these eagles can develop a resistance to the venom of some snakes.

In any case, I’ll draw your attention back to the sighting itself. We watched for a minute or two as the eagle twisted and snapped at something at its feet. Now admittedly I have always been quite fascinated by snakes so it’s fair to say that my interest was piqued to find out what snake the eagle had managed to wrangle. Eventually, with what must be incredible strength (considering the eagle’s size and weight), the eagle took to the air with a metre-long Southern African Python. The snake having suffered some serious trauma to parts of its body, was still twisting awkwardly trying to free itself. Regardless it was clear the eagle had a very firm grip on the snake.

For the next 30 minutes, we sat in awe as the Eagle set about subduing its catch on top of a bushveld gardenia tree. Using its powerful talons and sharp beak, it methodically worked to kill the python, gripping tightly to avoid any potential counterattack. Even in its final moments, the snake fought back, twisting and coiling in an attempt to free itself. But the eagle, built for this very task, held firm.

With the python finally lifeless, the next challenge of how to consume such a large meal started. Brown Snake Eagles are specialists in eating serpents, but even for them, a python presents a serious test. We watched as the eagle repositioned the snake multiple times, carefully working its way from the head down to make the swallowing process as smooth as possible. Bit by bit, it managed to ingest the snake, pausing every so often to adjust its grip and stretch its throat to accommodate the bulk of its meal. Amazingly after it was all said and done it decided to regurgitate almost its entire meal and swallow it again. This happened at least three times until it was clearly comfortable with how the snake sat in its stomach.

As someone fascinated by both raptors and snakes, this sighting was extraordinary. Watching the eagle expertly subdue and repeatedly re-swallow its prey was a rare glimpse into the precision of nature. Even after countless game drives, the bush never fails to surprise. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something remarkable unfolds.