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Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Mutual Mortality of Great Horned Owl and Southern Black Racer: A Potential Risk of Raptors Preying on Snakes

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2001
Authors:Perry, RW, Brown, RE, D. Rudolph, C
Journal:The Wilson Bulletin
Volume:113
Issue:3
Date Published:2001
ISBN Number:00435643
Keywords:Bubo, Bubo virginianus, Strigidae
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 died 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.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4164371
Short Title:The Wilson Bulletin
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