Snake Predators: What Animals Eat Snakes?

Yes, many animal species in the wild catch and kill snakes. Some of these species can even be trained in the art of snake extermination! Animal types that hunt and kill snakes include many species of raptors - eagles and hawks, honey badgers, and of course the notorious mongoose. King Snakes eat only other snakes. And believe it or not, common house cats and dogs catch and kill snakes too. Some species of dogs can be trained to catch and kill snakes.

Snakes are ingested at all stages of their lives. Some species consume snake eggs, others also slurp up defenseless babies, while more just pounce on adults and go to town. Adult snake specimens may be able to fight back, but the bigger the risk the bigger the reward, so a nice juicy python or viper may often be the apple of an apex predator's eye. And In the wild, snakes are going to be eaten alive, or scavenged in various states of decomposition.



Below are some of the predators of snakes:

Mongoose

The mongoose is a pet that does have special attributes specifically for snake hunting and killing. These weasel-like animals eat snakes, and have special genetic attributes that make them immune to venom. The mongoose is very agile and has a thick coat, making it a perfect combatant for snake wars.

Red Tailed Hawk

The red tailed hawk is a birds of prey species found in a variety of habitats, including rain forests. However, these birds are not usually found in dense forests since much of their predation depends on being able to see their prey on the ground. Snakes are a part of the rest tailed hawk's diet. Usually, red tailed hawks prey on small to medium-sized snakes. As a bird of prey species, red tailed hawks have sharp talons and beaks, which allow them to grasp and devour their prey with relative ease.

Birds of Prey

Birds are major snake predators, and it is not just birds of prey alone but also little birds which eat baby snakes. Some birds specialize in snakes: The Secretary Bird worries a snake to death, dancing around it, stomping on it and throwing it up in the air until it dies. The Road Runner also eats snakes. But these birds eat other things besides snakes. Small snakes are vulnerable to other bigger carnivorous or omnivorous creatures.

Tigers Tigers are large, carnivorous cats who prey on medium to large size snakes. In the rainforest, large snakes include black mambas and pythons. Most tiger species live in rainforest environments, tigers always pounce on prey when their prey turns their back on them.

Humans

The most efficient and widespread predator on snakes is humans. We have killed more snakes and destroyed snake habitats than any other snake predator. Predators usually get the better of a snake by exhausting it first. A snake cannot keep up active movements for long because snakes are cold blooded. So predators circle and irritate the snake into making frenzied defense postures. When the snake becomes tired, the predator will kill it with a bite to its neck.


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