93°F
weather icon Clear
Las Vegas, NV
Nation and World

Snake snack! Photographer captures copperhead eating a cicada

This July 17, 2019 photo provided by Charlton McDaniel of Fort Smith, Ark., shows a copperhead ...
This July 17, 2019 photo provided by Charlton McDaniel of Fort Smith, Ark., shows a copperhead snake eating a cicada in Arkansa's Ozark National Forest. McDaniel of said Thursday, July 25, 2019, that he was "fascinated and captivated" to see a copperhead eat a newly emerged cicada at dusk on July 17. McDaniel says he went to the forest for moonlight kayaking and noticed the molting cicada. McDaniel scared off a nearby snake, but the reptile returned to gobble the insect. (Charlton McDaniel via AP)
This July 17, 2019 photo provided by Charlton McDaniel of Fort Smith, Ark., shows a copperhead ...
This July 17, 2019 photo provided by Charlton McDaniel of Fort Smith, Ark., shows a copperhead snake eating a cicada in Arkansa's Ozark National Forest. McDaniel of said Thursday, July 25, 2019, that he was "fascinated and captivated" to see a copperhead eat a newly emerged cicada at dusk on July 17. McDaniel says he went to the forest for moonlight kayaking and noticed the molting cicada. McDaniel scared off a nearby snake, but the reptile returned to gobble the insect. (Charlton McDaniel via AP)
This July 17, 2019 photo provided by Charlton McDaniel of Fort Smith, Ark., shows a copperhead ...
This July 17, 2019 photo provided by Charlton McDaniel of Fort Smith, Ark., shows a copperhead snake eating a cicada in Arkansa's Ozark National Forest. McDaniel of said Thursday, July 25, 2019, that he was "fascinated and captivated" to see a copperhead eat a newly emerged cicada at dusk on July 17. McDaniel says he went to the forest for moonlight kayaking and noticed the molting cicada. McDaniel scared off a nearby snake, but the reptile returned to gobble the insect. (Charlton McDaniel via AP)
More Stories
Chef Anne Burrell (Ron Adzar/Shutterstock)
Food Network star Anne Burrell dead at 55
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while flying aboard Air Force One en route from Ca ...
‘I don’t care what she said’: Trump dismisses US intel on Iran’s nuclear capabilities
NYC comptroller and mayoral candidate arrested outside immigration court
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he attends a family photo session during the G7 Summit, ...
US knows where Khamenei is hiding and urges Iran’s unconditional surrender, Trump says
The Associated Press
July 29, 2019 - 12:45 pm
 

OZARK, Ark. — An amateur photographer has snapped some startling gone-in-a-gulp images of a venomous snake devouring an unlucky bug at Ozark National Forest in Arkansas.

Charlton McDaniel of Fort Smith says he was “fascinated and captivated” to see a copperhead eat a newly emerged cicada at dusk on July 17.

The 42-year-old McDaniel told The Associated Press that he was in the forest for some moonlight kayaking when he noticed a molting cicada.

McDaniel says the snake showed up, and he twice scared off the reptile. McDaniel says he went to his vehicle and when he returned the snake grabbed the insect.

McDaniel says the copperhead became aware of his presence, finished swallowing the cicada and slithered off.

MOST READ
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Chef Anne Burrell (Ron Adzar/Shutterstock)
Food Network star Anne Burrell dead at 55
By Kelly Bryant Parade

Chef Anne Burrell, best known for her many appearances on Food Network over the years, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, June 17. She was 55 years old.

 
NYC comptroller and mayoral candidate arrested outside immigration court
By Cedar Attanasio The Associated Press

Brad Lander’s detainment comes a little more than a month after Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge outside a federal immigration detention center in his city.

Dr. Stephaun Wallace, who leads the global external relations strategies COVID-19 Prevention Ne ...
‘Razor blade throat’ on the rise as new COVID subvariant spreads
Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times

COVID-19 appears to be on the rise in some parts of California as a new, highly contagious subvariant — featuring “razor blade throat” symptoms overseas — is becoming increasingly dominant.

A staff member walks past a message to students that hangs on the wall at Place Bridge Academy, ...
Coming to America? In 2025, the US looks less like a dream and more like a place to avoid for some
By Lurie Kellman Associated Press

For centuries, people in other countries saw the United States as place of welcome and opportunity. Now, President Donald Trump’s drive for mass deportations of migrants is riling the streets of Los Angeles, college campuses, even churches — and fueling a global rethinking about the virtues and promise of coming to America.

MORE STORIES