A photo shows a dog licking a snake’s head. The image has been circulated online as a symbol of beautiful gestures in the natural world. Is this image real or fake?

The photo is real, but the snake is not.

Upon closer inspection, it is clear that dog in the photo is licking a snake statue.

Let’s take a look at the photo being circulated:

When we take a closer look at the snake in the photo, it becomes apparent that the segments of the body are actually all attached, as one would expect from a statue of this kind:

Bottom Line

The photo above does not depict a dog licking a real snake. It is actually licking a snake statue. It has been circulated as an example of beautiful gestures that occur in the world. It is unlikely that a real snake would allow a dog to lick its head in this manner.

Updated November 21, 2014
Originally published September 2013