Two snakes wrapped around each other may be fighting rather than mating. Male combat is documented in several Australian species. Intertwined bodies alone do not tell you the sex of the snakes or prove that a breeding pair is mating.
What does male combat look like?
In eastern brown snakes, males can twist together and wrestle, each trying to press the other down. The Australian Museum describes this as competition for access to receptive females.
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Red-bellied black snakes provide another example. Males may lift the front of the body, hook their necks around one another and become intertwined. The Museum’s account describes bouts that end with the defeated male leaving.
People sometimes call this a “dance”, but the movements can be a contest between rivals. The label should not be taken as evidence of courtship.
How is courtship different?
For red-bellied black snakes, the Museum describes a male rubbing his chin over the female’s body during courtship. A receptive female may stretch out and allow him to align alongside her.
These are descriptions of one species, not a universal checklist for all Australian snakes. A still photograph may miss the movement and sequence needed to interpret what happened. A brief view of two touching bodies is a good reason to leave the behaviour uncertain.
Does wrestling mean they are harmless?
No. A snake occupied with another snake is still a snake you should leave alone. “Ritual combat” also does not mean biting never occurs: the red-bellied black snake account records bites during some bouts.
Keep people and pets clear and do not separate the animals. If they are in a place where removal is needed, contact a qualified local snake catcher.
What is useful to record?
If you already have a video taken from a safe place, keep the full sequence rather than just one dramatic frame. Note the location, date and what you actually saw, such as repeated pushing or raised forebodies. Describe the observation before labelling it fighting or mating.
The photo identification guide explains the limits of images. Do not move closer to inspect tails, heads or the point where the bodies meet.
