A snake steals an egg from a pair of guarding birds only to realize it may have bitten off more than it could chew.
27-year-old field guide Frank De Beer was lucky enough to capture this rare moment on camera. He shared the incredible story and images with LatestSightings.com.
“We were sitting by a water hole, enjoying a hot cup of coffee and admiring the views. While we were busy packing up, I overheard a couple of very unhappy Blacksmith Lapwings . They were stalking something on the ground. I immediately thought of snake!” 
Black lapwings are common in the savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. They get their name from their distinctive metallic calls, which sound like the sound of a blacksmith’s hammer on an anvil. These birds are territorial and fiercely protective of their nests, which they build on the ground in open spaces.
“As we approached the scene of the commotion, I saw the snake intently slithering in the direction of the lapwings. A common egg eater. These snakes are famous for their ability to swallow whole eggs, as this makes up a significant part of their diet.” 
“The lapwings went into attack mode, swooping down to peck at the egg eater and chase it away. However, the egg eater was persistent and agile, dodging their attacks and gliding towards the nest. It was clear that the lapwings were going to have a tough fight.”
“The egg eater soon arrived at the nest, and we held our breath as it began to bite into one of the lapwings’ eggs. The lapwings continued to attack, but they were no match for the fast and elusive egg eater. Within seconds, the snake was able to grab an egg.” 
“Then, with an egg in its mouth, the snake began to slither about in one of the most comical and bizarre ways I have ever seen. Mesmerized by what was unfolding in front of me and my guests, I was ecstatic to be able to capture it all on film.” 
“The snake finally disappeared into the bushes to emerge into the light. Leaving the lapwings to mourn their loss. He was also very vulnerable where he found the egg at the beginning. We didn’t get to see the snake swallow the egg in its entirety, but let’s just say I’ve seen more pangolins eat eggs than common egg eaters. That’s how weird this moment was for me.” 
While it may seem unfair that the egg eater was able to steal the lapwing’s egg, it’s important to remember that in the wild, survival is all about adapting to your environment and taking advantage of any opportunity that presents itself. 
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