Snakes are prey for many animals, including birds of prey (eagles, hawks, owls), mammals (mongooses, honey badgers, foxes, even feral cats/pigs), other reptiles (larger snakes like kingsnakes), and even some amphibians, while humans also consume them as food, showing snakes are a key part of various food webs.
Mongoose: Mongoose have the ability to fight and eat snakes, including venomous ones. Their agility and speed, along with a resistance to venom, make them predators. Canids: Several dog-like canids are cunning snake predators, including gray wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals.
A snake's biggest enemies are a diverse group of predators, with the mongoose, honey badger, and various raptors (like eagles, secretary birds) being top contenders due to their speed, fearlessness, and specialized hunting skills; even other snakes, like kingsnakes, prey on them. These predators exploit a snake's vulnerability to swift attacks, often targeting their heads and relying on speed or natural defenses against venom to win confrontations.
Birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, are some of the most common predators of snakes. These birds have keen eyesight and powerful talons, making them well-equipped to spot and capture snakes from the air.
Snakes are a favourite of kookaburras, according to the Australian Reptile Park. They say the birds use a "wait and swoop" technique to catch prey.
Dogs. Dogs have been widely recognized as an effective pet for deterring snakes due to their natural predatory instincts and heightened senses, making them a formidable presence in keeping snakes away from residential areas.
But snakes aren't just predators. They can also be prey. As prey, the nutrients they consume can continue their journey up the food chain as they're passed to snake-eaters such as kookaburras, hawks and goannas.
Mongooses. Mongooses, renowned for their quick reflexes and fearless nature, are an indomitable adversary that strikes fear into the heart of their slithering nemesis. These small carnivores are known for their ability to take down much larger opponents, including snakes.
7 Natural Ways to Keep Snakes Away
The top predators in the world include the great white shark, known for its powerful bite and hunting technique, and the lion, which hunts cooperatively in prides. Other notable predators are the grizzly bear, famous for its strength and speed, and the killer whale, which uses sophisticated hunting strategies.
Snakes are highly sensitive to odors, so those currently denning in the home can be “evicted” by applying products such as vinegar, lime mixed with hot pepper, garlic or onions, Epsom salt, or oils such as clove, cinnamon, cedarwood, or peppermint to the perimeter.
The mongoose is a remarkable creature. Not only is it easily domesticated and friendly to boot, it has a natural affinity for killing snakes. Snakes are on the menu for the mongoose, though this weasel-like animal will eat a variety of pest animals such as rodents, insects, worms, and lizards.
Cats are predators, and they can and do eat several small animals, including snakes. Cats do not commonly eat snakes, but they may chow down on the remnants of a snake if they are very hungry. Feral cats are more likely to eat snakes than pet cats.
While it's not entirely conclusive that snakes will stay away from doggos and that doggos can keep them away, it's obvious that, due to a canine's insane sense of smell and hearing, they're the perfect snake hunters.
Diet. Foxes are omnivores and eat a wide variety of plants and animals, depending on the season. Small birds and mammals are consumed, including mice, voles, rats, rabbits, and bird eggs. Foxes also eat insects, snakes, carrion, berries, apples, corn, seeds, and nuts.
Once they capture prey, snakes will either constrict and suffocate, bite and release venom, or use both methods to kill the animal. Conversely, some snakes dislike eating dead animals and will eat them alive instead.
To lure a snake out, use a combination of heat, moisture, and food, placing a warm, humid hide with a scented mouse bait (like a pinkie) in a ventilated container near its hiding spot, or use gentle vibrations/sound (like a gentle fan or knocking) to encourage movement, but often patience is key as snakes are cautious. For lost pets, setting up a trap with a heat source and food near its suspected location is effective.
Snakes can climb walls due to their unique anatomical features and movement patterns. They have a flexible body structure that allows them to grip and maneuver on various surfaces. Snakes can climb rough or textured walls like brick walls, stone walls, stucco, or wood siding.
They hibernate in winter, and emerge when the weather warms up. Springtime is the most active and stressful time for the snake. It is hungry after hibernation, needs to shed its skin, and reproduce. This is the most likely time our pets may come in contact with them, but it can happen very late into Autumn as well.
Despite popular belief, snakes do not actively hunt or chase humans. Most species prefer to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary conflict, so they will usually retreat if given space.
The mongoose are animals that kill snakes. They have a natural resistance to snake venom. The mongoose can take on deadly cobras and other venomous snakes, biting the snake and quickly killing it before enjoying the meal. Other wild animals, like birds of prey, rely on their quick reflexes to avoid snake bites.
Here is what you should do:
Brown snakes hunt by actively looking for prey and searching in likely hiding places. They have good eyesight and once prey is detected they will give chase and subdue the prey using both venom and constriction.
In some cases, snakes may only stay a few days, but when conditions are favorable, they can remain hidden for weeks or even months. Their presence is often a symptom of broader issues like rodent activity or unsealed entry points.
However, occasionally a kangaroo might come across a snake by accident and the snake, afraid that the kangaroo will injure it, (or, in fact, injured by a kangaroot that might lie or jump on it) might bite to defend itself. We have noted at Walkabout Park that most kangaroos bitten by snakes are hand-raised kangaroos.