Nature videos have a way of stopping the scroll, and a clip going around social media this week has done exactly that. It shows a snake, approximately six feet long, slithering up an electric pole towards a bird. At the end, the bird flies away just in time, and the snake is hit by a powerful electric shock from the live wires. The video has drawn thousands of views, but many netizens in the comments are convinced it is not real and say it looks AI-generated. Here is what the claim says, why viewers are doubtful and what remains unconfirmed.
Why netizens say it is AI
Many commenters have pointed out that the sequence looks almost too perfect. The hunt, the narrow escape and the electric twist arrive in neat order, like a short film with a built-in ending. Some viewers also say the snake’s movement looks unnaturally smooth on a vertical pole. These are common reactions to AI-made clips, but they are impressions rather than proof.
Signs to look for in clips like this
Fact-checkers often advise viewers to watch for warped details, such as wires, insulators or the pole itself that shift or blur between frames, and for odd physics, like sparks or smoke that do not behave the way real current would. A missing source is another red flag, especially when there is no uploader, location or news coverage, and only reposts. None of these clues is conclusive alone, and AI-detection tools can also make mistakes, so they work best as a guide, not a verdict.
What we could not confirm
We could not open the original Instagram reel for a frame-by-frame check, and we found no credible news report of such an incident. That means the authenticity of the video remains unverified. We cannot call it real, and we cannot call it AI-made without stronger evidence, such as the original file, the creator’s own statement or confirmation from an expert.
Here’s the video:
How to check videos like this yourself
Run a reverse image search on key frames, look for the earliest upload and the original creator, and see whether the profile or caption mentions AI tools. Check whether local news outlets or the electricity department have reported anything similar. Whatever the truth about this clip, it is a useful reminder that snakes really do climb poles and trees, and that power lines are extremely dangerous. If you ever see a fallen wire or a snake near electrical equipment, keep a safe distance and call the electricity helpline or the forest department.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general informational and media-literacy purposes only. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified, and the claims described are based on a caption and reactions shared on social media. Do not treat any single visual clue as proof that a video is real or AI-generated. Never try to catch, kill or handle a snake yourself. If you encounter one, or a damaged electrical line, keep away and contact local authorities, the forest department or a trained rescuer, and in case of a snakebite, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital.
