A gardener in Australia got more than a close-up wildlife moment when he filmed two snakes during a mating encounter.
What began as a quiet observation of nature quickly turned tense when the animals appeared to notice him and started moving toward him, according to Jacaranda FM.
The clip reminds us that even ordinary backyard moments can become risky when humans and wildlife share the same space.
Here's what to know
Craig Smailes, a gardener in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, was recording two red-bellied black snakes during a mating encounter before the situation abruptly shifted.
"Everyone said that it was intriguing, and no one expected them to turn and chase me," Smailes told The Daily Telegraph.
However, the situation became more serious when one of the snakes appeared to notice Smailes.
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"He (the snake) eyeballed me as if saying 'get outta here,'" he said.
Smailes eventually used a leaf blower to move the snake away.
Red-bellied black snakes are venomous but considered among Australia's less dangerous snakes, according to The Mercury. There have been no recorded human deaths from their bite to date.
More background
As human development increasingly encroaches on wild habitats, human-wildlife encounters have increased. While many of these encounters are relatively harmless, they can still put humans, pets, and wildlife at risk.
To keep everyone safe, experts recommend giving wildlife as much distance as possible.
In addition to taking place in yards and neighborhoods, human-wildlife encounters also occur in settings such as national parks, where humans are visitors in natural habitats.
Unfortunately, many tourists forget they are in wild spaces and fail to treat wildlife with the respect it deserves. In the age of social media, many individuals are willing to risk their own safety and that of wildlife in an effort to get that perfect, Instagrammable shot.
While wildlife attacks are rare, when they do occur, they generate widespread attention. This can lead people to believe that wildlife attacks take place more frequently than they actually do.
"Wildlife attacks are rare when compared with the millions of people who visit national parks each year," said Nils Peterson, a professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University.
"But because these encounters are dramatic and unexpected, they attract significant public attention," he added.
Where can I learn more?
The following stories take a closer look at wildlife behavior and human-wildlife encounters.
• In Greece's Sitia Geopark, male snakes battled for turf in a display mistaken for mating.
• In Australia, one of the deadliest snakes struck again and again at a catcher's hook.
• Online footage showed a snake repeatedly striking at a camera from close range.
• In India, rising temperatures were linked to more snakebite incidents and mounting health risks.
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