A shock from an electric fence should not be lethal to any animal. In some states (mine was that way last time I checked) it is illegal to exceed a certain degree of shock. Most of them are rated at 110-120 volts @ 50-60 cycles. That would only scare hell out of an animal even as small as a newborn puppy or kitten. Most victims just get the hell off of it VERY QUICKLY. Most will not come back for a second round.
All of the wires are not electrified. You need a ground to complete the circuit, unless, like most people or animals, are grounded where thet stand. In the image, only the wires with the plastic insulators are "hot". Electric fence "chargers" have two connections: positive and negative. The negative is for things that touch the fence and are not naturally grounded. A bird could sit on an electric fence all day and never feel a thing as long as he didnt touch the wire connected to the negative pole of the charger or touch the ground (earth) simultaneously.
It is my guess that the reptile touched both +&- , panicked, struck the fence and expired due to exhaustion or suffocation. Imagine being hung on two wires with your jaw agape for a long time not being able to swallow or breath properly while getting a continual pulsating shock. Prolly wouldn't last too long.
Then again who knows.... the commies may run 230 volts on their fences. But if they did it would kill a farmer/ rancher as quick as an intruder.
I know snakes are essential in the balance of nature, but I like them better when they are dead or way the hell away from capnhowdy. I've been bitten before. Now I hate me some snakes. They give me the heebie jeebies. And trust me....they don't like us either.
