The Intimate-vine snake

This picture was taken at matheran hill station near Mumbai-India. Male vine snakes are known to bite female vine snakes during mating. This is thought to be a way for the male to assert dominance and ensure that he gets to fertilize the female's eggs. The bite can be painful for the female, but it is not usually life-threatening. The male snake will approach the female snake and rub his snout against hers. This is a way for him to initiate courtship. If the female snake is receptive, she will allow the male snake to mount her. Once the male snake is mounted, he will bite the female snake on the neck or back. The bite is not painful for the female snake, but it does release hormones that suppress her immune system. This makes it easier for the male snake to fertilize her eggs. After the male snake has bitten the female snake, he will mate with her.