10 Surprising Animals That Eat Snakes

Have you ever thought of animals that can feed on snakes?

In this post, I will discuss 10 beasts that feast on snakes, and you will learn how skilled these creatures are whenever they clash with a serpent.

But before we go into details here is a list of the 10 animals that prey on snakes:

1. Honey Badger
2. Bobcat
3. Crocodile
4. Hedgehog
5. Kingsnake
6. Mongoose
7. Owls
8. Red-tailed Hawk
9. Secretary Bird
10. Wolverine

READ ALSO: What Does A Snake Nest Look Like?

Let’s dive right in.

1. Honey Badger

Honey Badger has developed a unique set of adaptations that cause it almost impervious to snake venom.

With its thick, loose skin, layered with a dense coat of slick, sturdy hair, the Honey Badger presents a tough defense against the penetration of a snake’s fangs, making it a prospect for any venomous serpent.

But what differentiates the Honey Badger apart from other predators is its immunity to the deadly toxins produced by snakes.

Should a snake manage to envenomate this fearless beast, the Honey Badger appears to possess special proteins that balance the venom’s deadly effects.

Alternatively, there might be other complex means, such as typical enzymes or protein structures within the Honey Badger’s system, which render the venom ineffective against it.

This immunity appears to have grown over time, helping the Honey Badger with the extraordinary ability to add poisonous snakes to its diet without fear of succumbing to their bites.

Unlike other predators, the Honey Badger relies less on agility and more on brute force to conquer the serpent. When confronted by a snake, the Honey Badger charges head-on, unafraid of the venomous threat that lies ahead.

This daring approach, combined with its amazing natural defenses, makes it one of the few creatures that can confidently take on and emerge victorious in battles against snakes.

2. Bobcat

The elusive Bobcat is a surprising and adept predator when it comes to animals that boast an appetite for snakes

As carnivorous creatures, Bobcats have an insatiable hunger for meat, and while rabbits remain their favored meal, these cats do not shy away from indulging in various prey, which includes birds, reptiles, rodents, and yes, even snakes.

Bobcat is a great hunters with keen senses and amazing agility. According to a report, an incident happened in early October 2020 when Bobcat caught a snake slayer.

As the opportunistic Bobcat crosses paths with a snake, its predatory instincts kick into high gear. Using its sharp claws, the Bobcat sinks them into the snake’s head, gaining firm control of the serpent.

The Bobcat maneuvers to position itself for a strategic bite, targeting just behind the snake’s eyes.

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3. Crocodile

At first glance, one might underestimate the crocodile’s ability to confront vipers. But the crocodile’s hunting strategy is impressive.

When the crocodile strikes, it does so with speed, often using ambush techniques to catch its prey off guard. In a bit of a second, the crocodile’s massive jaws can take a snake down.

One might assume that snakes, with their venomous fangs, could pose a considerable threat to a crocodile’s well-armored surface.

However, nature has granted the crocodile a great defense mechanism that makes it largely immune to snake attacks.

The crocodile’s thick and scaly skin acts as an impenetrable stronghold against the snake’s fangs, making it difficult for the venom to find its mark.

4. Hedgehog

The Hedgehog (Family: Erinaceidae) emerges as a truly surprising predator.

Though often recognized for their adorable appearance and endearing behavior, Hedgehogs possess a hidden superpower that makes them incredible hunters, immunity to a variety of toxins.

This unique ability allows them to fearlessly dine on a mixture of venomous creatures, including scorpions, spiders, beetles, frogs, bees, and yes, even snakes.

The Hedgehog’s omnivorous diet adds to its survival strategies.

While their penchant for consuming meat might seem unreasonable for such a small creature, they prove themselves as dynamic feeders by also enjoying mushrooms, grass, and berries.

Particularly, Hedgehogs are known to show nocturnal feeding habits, preferring to dive out under the cover of darkness to seek food.

During their nightly forays, they consume an impressive amount, often devouring up to a third of their body weight in food.

What makes Hedgehogs truly extraordinary is their ability to endure scarcity without succumbing to hunger. In times of scarcity, these creatures can endure prolonged periods without eating.

The Hedgehog’s immunity to toxins enables it to add snakes to its menu. While other animals might shrink from venomous fangs, Hedgehogs are preserved, knowing that the toxins have no power over them.

This trait has helped Hedgehogs have a unique survival advantage that allows them to flourish in a kingdom filled with potential threats.

READ ALSO: Do Owls Hibernate Or Migrate? (Resolved)

5. Kingsnake

Kingsnake (Genus: Lampropeltis) has a special and fearless palette, seeking out and swallowing other snakes, even venomous ones. Their hunting skill lies in their immunity to the venom of certain snakes, with rattlesnakes being a prime example.

This immunity allows Kingsnakes to target and beat their venomous rivals without any effects. Kingsnakes rely on a deadly technique known as constriction.

This method involves coiling their powerful bodies around their prey and exerting pressure, choking, and crushing the victim to its death.

Kingsnakes can exert constriction forces that can exceed twice their body size when compared to rat snakes and pythons.

This strong grip ensures that even tough opponents like other snakes, which can take lower blood-oxygen levels before suffocating, fall victim to the Kingsnakes hunting technique.

6. Mongoose

Mongoose (Family: Herpestidae) is another surprising serpent slayer. With its cat-like appearance and behavior, the Mongoose might fool the eye, but it is a predator that hits venomous snakes.

As my buddy calls it, “hitman of cobras.” Though primarily carnivorous mammals, Mongoose pose no threat to humans, unless provoked, in which case they might resort to biting.

However, when it comes to snakes, they transform into a nightmare. Contrary to a common misconception, the Mongoose and snakes are not natural enemies in the traditional sense.

The Mongoose does not harbor an inherent hatred toward snakes; rather, it possesses an innate ability in defending itself against these reptilian enemies.

Mongooses can outsmart snakes with their abilities. They have got the power to face off against deadly cobras, some of the most frightening and venomous snakes in the world.

Aside from that, Mongoose displays a preference for snake meat, making it one of their favorite meals.

7. Owls

When imagining owls, one might gather up images of these creatures swooping down to capture small mammals in the dark of night.

While it is true that owls predominantly hunt small mammals, the vast variety of owl species (over 225 different ones) cracks to a wide range of dietary preferences.

Not all owls feast on snakes. However, among the owl family, at least five main species are snake hunters and include these reptiles in their food.

These hunters include the great horned owl, eastern screech owl, barred owl, burrowing owl, and long-eared owl. While snakes may not be their primary source of food, if an owl encounters one, it will embark on the hunt.

Owls are masters of the night, succeeding in the darkness with amazing vision, sharp hearing, and flight. Their silent wings grant them a tactical advantage when taking on serpents.

For the great horned owl, eastern screech owl, barred owl, burrowing owl, and long-eared owl, snakes are on the list of potential prey.

If a snake crosses their path, these avian predators will not shy away from the challenge. With deadly strikes, they use their claws and strong beaks to secure a meal.

READ ALSO: What Does A Snake Nest Look Like?

8. Red-tailed Hawk

Several hawk species are known for their ability to hunt and kill serpents, leveraging their razor-sharp talons and beaks in deadly strikes.

However, the Red-tailed Hawk, in particular, shows a typical passion for consuming snakes. The Red-tailed Hawk’s vision plays a crucial role in its success when hunting for snakes.

From high altitudes, they thoroughly check the ground, searching for any signs of movement that betray the presence of their next meal.

Their eyesight gives them the ability to detect snakes, even from considerable distances. Once a snake has been sighted, the Red-tailed Hawk goes into action, diving with speed.

And using its sharp talons and powerful beak to catch the serpent. The Red-tailed Hawk’s choice of snake meat made them snake predators.

While other hawks and birds of prey may occasionally feed on snakes, the Red-tailed Hawks challenge snakes daily.

9. Secretary Bird

The difference between the Secretary Bird and other bird species is its unique hunting method, made possible by its unusually long legs.

This adaptation helps the bird with targeting and enables its deadly attack on serpentine.

When Secretary Bird clashes with a snake, it launches a strike with a strength equivalent to five times its body weight and a contact period of 10–15 milliseconds.

10. Wolverine

Wolverine is an amazing animal with the strength to take down prey many times larger than itself. Wolverine’s being a fearsome hunter is well-deserved.

Alongside a mixed diet that includes rodents, rabbits, worms, mice, frogs, and birds, snakes find themselves on the menu of this predator.

Despite its heavy appearance, the Wolverine is a skilled climber and adept swimmer, allowing it to access different landscapes and reach its prey.

This creature seeks out carrion to supplement its diet, and wolverines are known to discover carrion on their own, feed on it after another predator has finished, or take it from competing scavengers.

This scavenging ability adds a unique layer to the Wolverine’s dietary habits.

READ ALSO: 5 Most Common Species Of Owls In North Carolina

Conclusion

So, you have the animals capable of feeding on snakes. These animals can take down the serpents with different approaches, and most of these predators are immune to snake venom.