11 May,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The incident was recorded on the outskirts of SGNP. Pic/Tanishq Shah
In a bizarre twist of predator vs prey on the outskirts of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai, a crab was spotted dragging up a tree a severed snake - a common krait - which is one of India's deadliest.
A wildlife photographer came across the unusual sight and found the crab gripping part of the common krait that had been severed into two pieces. Wildlife photographer Tanishq Shah said, "A few days back while surveying semi-urban habitats for snakes, we came across a crab in an unusual position.
"Upon closer inspection, it was holding part of a krait that had been severed into two sections. One half of the snake was on the ground, while the crab had carried the other portion up onto a tree." Dr Varad Giri, a scientist who has worked extensively on the research related to reptiles, also pointed out that the incident is an interesting natural history observation.
This observation suggests opportunistic feeding behaviour, which is known in many crab species. It is unclear whether the crab killed the snake or scavenged an already injured or dead one. However, given the condition of the body and the crab's grip, active predation cannot be ruled out. "This could represent a rare or possibly undocumented instance of a crab preying on a krait, a group widely regarded as among the most venomous in India. Such interactions highlight how opportunistic and unpredictable feeding relationships can be in natural ecosystems," added Shah.
Dr Varad Giri, head scientist, Reliance Foundation, said, "There are many happenings in the natural world that appear unreal until someone records them. A crab feeding on a snake is one such. We know they mostly feed on decaying organic matter, worms, and small fish. They also know how to scavenge. But this clip is an interesting observation. This rarely documented event enhances our understanding of the poorly known aspects of our natural world."
