A large snake in Israel tried to eat a porcupine and didn’t survive to tell the tale.
The incident, reported by The Jerusalem Post, is one of those scenes in nature where the hunter ends up becoming the prey. Non-venomous snakes kill by swallowing their prey alive or by constriction, and that strategy usually works for them. This time, they chose poorly: an animal covered in quills is hardly an easy bite.
There are about 41 species of snakes in the country, and only nine are venomous. The rest pose no danger to people. They play a key role in the ecosystem because they help limit the proliferation of rodents and other pests.
Both snakes and porcupines are protected animals in Israel. If you come across an animal in distress, the Nature and Parks Authority asks you to call *3639.
