From the archive record
In a rare pre-mating courting ritual, a pair of Indian snakes stand up and 'dance' or court each other, in a rare moment from the wild. “Snakes Rituals” are often mistaken by most of us for snake mating. This snake ritual is nothing but a combat dance performed by males of the species. Though a friendly ritual with no over display of aggression, it is driven by instinct and used to define territory and defend mates. Its frequent and customary expression during the breeding season is proof of this encoded behavior. Ritual combat in snake species involves interaction sequences between two males who are in contention for supremacy or dominance. In the species Elaphe quadrivirgata, more commonly referred to as the Japanese striped snake, males maintain body contact with their opponent and exer