Deadlock: Frog vs. Snake - Neatorama

Photo: David Maitland / National Geographic

Photographer David Maitland won the 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest with this stunning photo captured in the dead of night in a Belizean rain forst. Aptly titled Deadlock, the photo is of a rare Morelet's tree frog refusing to be dinner for a cat-eyed snake.

I think what we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is an amphibious make-out session of the highest degree.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Notice how they're both protecting their eyes...neat.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

I wonder if the snake was poisonous. If the snake did poison the frog this was a short but epic battle for survival.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Strange... it doesn't look like the snake's fangs (assuming it has them) have pierced through.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

@ Carl: "both" protecting their eyes?? since snakes have no eyelids I don't know how you can see the snake protecting its eyes??

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Chris: then how do they blink?

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

For those in the Sydney area, Wildlife Photographer of the Year will be showing at the Australian Museum from December. Also showing are photos from this year's Up Close and Spineless competition (http://www.amonline.net.au/up_close/).

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

@HaricotVert,

Not all snakes have fangs. They have teeth though :D

You know another great thing about neatorama is that there are always thoughtful discussions in the comments!!

Buzz

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Also, if you read the info, it says they were interlocked for at least a couple hours. The photographer did not stick around to wait for the end.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

I have seen a poster that is similar to this, featuring a heron and a frog with the caption, "Never Give Up"

Here is a link to one version:

http://lease-color-copiers.com/Never_Give_Up_Poster.html

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

ROCKIN!!

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

As a photographer, I can so impressed by this photograph. One can live many lifetimes and not get this shot. Bravo Zulu.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

wow nice pic.....like the color composition..!!!

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Pudifoot: Classic! You are awarded one intarweb. LOL

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Photoshopped.
I can tell by the pixels.
HAHAHAH

joke.

Amazing capture.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

So, how did it end ?

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Emu...
The emu always eats 'em both...epic struggle ends in tragedy...

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Why are the frog's eyes like that?

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Login to comment.

Click here to access all of this post's 18 comments

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.