Many people are surprised to learn that snakes can eat other snakes. In fact, it is a common occurrence in the wild. While most snakes prefer to feed on small animals such as rodents and frogs, some species will also eat other snakes. In this article, we will look at some of the surprising facts about what snakes eat other snakes and how they do it. We will also discuss the different types of snakes that are known to consume their own kind.
Types of Snakes
- Pythons
- Boas
- Colubrids
- Vipers
- Cobras
- Sea Snakes
- Hognose Snakes
- Garter Snakes
- Rattlesnakes
- Indigo Snakes
- Blind Snakes
- Burrowing Snakes
Snakes can be broadly divided into 12 categories based on their physical characteristics. Pythons, boas, colubrids, vipers, cobras, sea snakes, hognose snakes, garter snakes, rattlesnakes, indigo snakes, blind snakes, and burrowing snakes are some of the most common types of snakes found in various parts of the world. Each type of snake has its own unique characteristics, behavior, and diet.
Diet of Snakes
| Snakes | Diet |
|---|---|
| Cobras | Small animals such as rodents, lizards, birds and other snakes. |
| Pythons | Mammals, birds and other reptiles. |
| Vipers | Small mammals such as mice, rats and other small animals. |
| Garter Snakes | Fish, amphibians, small mammals and other reptiles. |
| Boas | Birds and small mammals such as rodents. |
Snakes are carnivorous predators and their diet varies depending on the species. Cobras primarily feed on small animals such as rodents, lizards, birds and other snakes. Pythons eat mammals, birds and other reptiles. Vipers typically prey on small mammals such as mice, rats and other small animals. Garter snakes feed on fish, amphibians, small mammals and other reptiles. Boas feed on birds and small mammals such as rodents.
What Snakes Eat
- Small mammals such as rodents and rabbits
- Birds, lizards, frogs, and other amphibians
- Fish
- Insects and other invertebrates
- Eggs and carrion
Some snakes are also known to consume other snakes. This can involve both predation and cannibalism. Predation involves a larger, more powerful snake consuming a smaller one as a form of sustenance. Cannibalism is when a snake of the same species consumes another of the same species. While it is not as common as other forms of predation, it does occur in some species, such as the common garter snake.
Prey Availability
Snakes that eat other snakes generally tend to be opportunistic feeders and will target whatever prey is most readily available. They may also eat other snakes if they find them in their environment. Smaller snakes will sometimes feed on larger snakes if they can overpower them, and the larger snakes will often feed on smaller snakes if they cannot find other prey. Snakes that eat other snakes will usually target juveniles and hatchlings, as they are easier to capture and less likely to fight back. Larger snakes may also feed on eggs and hatchlings, as they can swallow them whole.
Prey Selection
| Type of Snake | Prey Selection |
|---|---|
| Cobras | Smaller snakes, rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, and insects |
| Pit Vipers | Rodents, small birds, lizards, frogs, and insects |
| Reticulated Pythons | Rodents, small birds, lizards, and other small mammals |
| Boa Constrictors | Rodents, small birds, lizards, and other small mammals |
Snakes, like most predators, hunt for food based on size and availability. Larger snakes, such as cobras, are capable of consuming a variety of prey, including smaller snakes, rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, and insects. On the other hand, smaller snakes tend to feed on smaller prey, such as rodents, small birds, lizards, frogs, and insects. Pit vipers, for example, feed mainly on rodents and other small animals, while reticulated pythons and boa constrictors usually feed on rodents, small birds, lizards, and other small mammals.
Prey Capture
- Snakes usually ambush their prey, by waiting in an area where their prey is likely to pass.
- Once the prey has been identified, the snake will strike quickly, using its sharp teeth to grasp the prey.
- Once the prey is grasped, the snake will coil around it, squeezing it until it is unable to escape. This is known as constriction.
- The snake will then swallow its prey whole, head first.
Cannibalism in Snakes
- Cannibalism is a phenomenon observed in some snake species, where one snake will consume another of the same species.
- This occurs when a snake is unable to find enough to eat, and will turn to other snakes to meet its nutritional needs.
- Cannibalism has also been observed in cases of competition for territory and mates, as well as when a snake is defending itself from an aggressor.
- Some species of snakes, such as the boa constrictor, have been observed to eat other snakes more frequently than other species.
- Snakes have also been known to consume the eggs of other snake species, as well as the dead bodies of other snakes.
- In some cases, cannibalism can be beneficial to a snake, as it can provide essential nutrients that the snake may not be able to obtain otherwise.
Benefits of Cannibalism
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Population Control | Cannibalism serves as a natural population control mechanism, especially in species where resources are limited. |
| Nutrient Source | By eating other snakes, a snake can gain the nutrients it needs to survive. |
| Adaptation | By eating other snakes, certain species can adapt to their environment more quickly. |
Cannibalism can be beneficial to snakes in several ways. It can help regulate population size, provide a nutrient source, and allows certain species to adapt to their environment more quickly. Even though it is not a common practice, it can be an important part of a snake’s survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common is it for Snakes to Eat Other Snakes?
Snakes eating other snakes is a relatively rare phenomenon in the wild. Some species of snakes will occasionally engage in cannibalism, particularly if food is scarce or the snake is injured. However, some snake species, such as the king cobra and common racers, have been observed to actively hunt and consume other snake species.
What Kinds of Snakes Prey on Other Snakes?
Many species of snakes are opportunistic predators and will consume any prey that is available. Certain species of snakes specialize in preying on other snakes, such as the Kingsnake, Coachwhip, or Brown Tree Snake. These predators actively seek out other snakes as prey and can take down much larger species. Some species of snakes also feed on the eggs of other snake species.
What is the most unusual prey that snakes eat?
Snakes will eat almost anything they can swallow, including other snakes. But some of the most unusual prey for snakes include frogs, lizards, fish, birds, and even small mammals. Some snakes, such as the king cobra, will even hunt and eat other snakes, such as rat snakes and pythons.
What are the advantages of snakes eating other snakes?
Snakes eating other snakes can provide nutritional benefits, as they contain valuable proteins and fats. This can help keep the snake healthy and provide energy for activities such as hunting and mating. Additionally, by eating other snakes, a snake can reduce competition and predation pressure, as well as prevent cannibalism of its own eggs or young. Eating other snakes can also reduce population levels of potential predators, such as rodents, and can provide a form of population control.
How do snakes hunt other snakes?
Snakes hunt other snakes by using a combination of their sense of smell, sight, and heat detection. When hunting, snakes will often coil themselves around their prey in order to constrict them and subdue them. They will then use their sharp, backward-pointing teeth to bite and inject venom into the snake they are hunting. Venom is a neurotoxin that paralyzes, kills, and digests prey, making it easier for the snake to consume.
Conclusion
Snakes are surprisingly opportunistic eaters, consuming nearly any creature that can fit in their mouths. Although it may seem strange that snakes eat other snakes, it is actually a fairly common practice. In addition to their natural diet of small mammals, insects, lizards, and amphibians, some snakes can and do supplement their diet with other snakes. This behavior is especially common among larger snakes, such as boas, pythons, and rat snakes.
