India, Sept. 26 -- For the unjaundiced eye, the joining of male rat snakes (non-venomous) in a combat 'dance' amid lush monsoon grasses constitutes an epitome of natural splendour.

Though frequently mistaken for mating behaviour, it is actually entwined males vigorously resorting to one-upmanship to establish suzerainty over territory, prey and females. This iconic behaviour is often witnessed in mating season and can last as long as an Olympic wrestling bout. A case from Gandaki province in Nepal on May 30, 2023, involved three males battling for 150 minutes in proximate human view.

Rat snakes in combat do not often bite or wound each other. A submission of the other by what appears a 'snaky arm wrestle' involving their upper bodies is...