Deer are known to be herbivores, living mainly on plant matter such as grass, creepers and leaves. So imagine a deer chewing up a whole snake. Many may find the idea bizarre, but it really happened, and the video is now doing the rounds on the internet.

The viral video was filmed from inside a car. It shows a deer standing by a road near a forest, its mouth moving. When the camera zooms in a little, it becomes clear that the deer is chewing on a snake.

The person filming is stunned, and can be heard asking in disbelief: "Is it eating a snake?"

The video was shared on Twitter last Sunday, 11 June, by an account called Science Girl. Indian forest officer Susanta Nanda also shared the same video, and both posts have gone viral on social media.

"Deer are herbivores and classified as ruminants because of their rumen, which helps them digest tough plant matter like cellulose. But if food is scarce or they lack minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, they may eat meat. Watch this one eat a snake."

Citing National Geographic, Indian broadcaster NDTV reported that deer are indeed herbivores, but when their bodies lack minerals such as phosphorus, salt and calcium, they may eat meat. The tendency is seen more in winter, when fresh plants are scarce.

In his caption, Susanta Nanda wrote that cameras were helping us understand nature better. Yes, herbivores also occasionally eat snakes.

The Science Girl page explained that deer are herbivores and are classified as ruminants because of their rumen, which helps them digest tough plant matter such as cellulose. But if food is scarce or they lack minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, they may also eat meat.

Even so, the video has left many open-mouthed. One wrote: "Truly, a very strange incident!" Another commented: "Nature is full of incredible behaviour!"

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.