Watch: Massive Eastern Brown snakes fight for dominance in viral video

When we think of snakes, we often imagine silent, slithering creatures that prefer to stay out of sight. But during certain times of the year, snakes, especially the males can be aggressive and dangerous. Especially, when it comes to competing for mates or declaring their dominance, many species engage in intense physical battles.

These battles aren’t usually about life and death but about proving strength. In most cases, two or more males fight over territory or to get access to a female during breeding season. One of the most commonly seen forms of snake combat is a behavior known as "combat dancing", during which the snakes are spotted in a twisting, grappling contest where each snake tries to push the other to the ground without biting. While it can look terrifying to a lay man, it's merely a normal part of the snake behaviour.


Viral video shows Eastern Brown snakes in 'Battle for dominance'
Eastern Brown snakes that are among one of the most venomous in the world, are particularly known for these kinds of contests, especially during Australia’s warmer months when breeding is in full swing. And recently, two of them put on quite a show, in Adelaide.

Two large Eastern Brown snakes were spotted locked in a tense battle on the side of a roadworks site in Adelaide. This moment quickly went viral after a video of the encounter was shared online.

The video shows the two venomous snakes also regarded among the deadliest in the world, entwined in a showdown struggle, twisting and wrapping around each other in a “battle for dominance.”

Snake Catchers Adelaide, a local wildlife handling service, confirmed the nature of the fight after being sent the video by concerned passersby. In a Facebook post, the team explained, “This is an amazing encounter between two large male Eastern Browns battling for dominance most likely over a female. Unfortunately, they disappeared into bushland minutes before we arrived.”

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The video has sparked interest and fear among the users on social media. The viewers were amazed by the intensity of the encounter and relieved about the fact that the snakes weren’t close to any human activity. Eastern Browns are responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in Australia, but they rarely bite unless provoked.

These battles are about strength!
According to experts, although it looks like a fight to the death, these clashes are usually more about display and strength than actual violence. The “winner” gains access to nearby females, while the other retreats.

Despite their lethal image, Eastern Brown snakes play an important role in controlling rodent populations and maintaining ecological balance. Still, experts state caution when encountering any wild snake, especially during peak mating months.

Busting myths about snake battles !
While most people assume snake fights are always about aggression, It’s interesting to know how traditional and non-lethal these battles actually are. In many species, including Eastern Browns, the snakes avoid using their fangs altogether during dominance contests, even though they’re fully capable of deadly bites. Instead, it’s all about posture, strength, and capability. Some researchers believe this boundary helps avoid injury in animals that don’t have easy access to medical recovery like mammals do.