Potential predation of a barred grass snake Natrix helvetica by a brown rat Rattus norvegicus, with a link to video evidence

The barred grass snake Natrix helvetica is a medium-sized snake species typically growing to 150 cm in length and
found throughout north-western Europe (Speybroeck et al., 2016). The brown rat Rattus norvegicus is a very widespread and highly adaptable mammal exploiting a wide range of food resources, especially cereals and their products. However, R. norvegicus may consume meat opportunistically and has been observed eating live snakes (Swanson, 1952; Fitch, 1963; Hummer & Tolley, 2008; Reynolds et al., 2023).