All ecosystems have complex dynamics made up of the various elements that make them up and in which there is a constant interaction between them, from which various relationships originate. One type of relationship has to do with the trophic aspect, that is, the level or place that an organism occupies in the food webs that are formed.
In this way, all living beings in a particular habitat are part of this whole process, where some are eaten by others. In this article on our site we present information about 20 animals that eat snakes and, although they become important predators, their role can also change and become be food for another animal.
Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Felines are generally important predators and are often successful hunters in the ecosystems they inhabit. Within these we have the jaguar (Panthera onca), which is distributed from North to South America. This imposing feline, which weighs an average of 100 kg, feeds on a wide variety of prey, in fact, more than 85 types of animals have been identified that can hunt, among which are snakes.
We give you more information about other Animals that are prey: characteristics and examples in the next post.
Eastern Owl (Phodilus badius)
The eastern owl (Phodilus badius) native to Asia, is a type of bird of prey, which is characterized by being a carnivorous animal. These owls, like owls, are very good hunters with well-developed senses and an impressive ability to fly unheardand thus catch their prey. This species is not particularly large, weighing between 250 and 300 grams approximately, however, it is one of the predators of snakes.
Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)
Another animal that eats snakes is the shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), a bird with prehistoric appearance, which can measure up to a few 1, 40 meters high. This snake predator is native to Africa and lives in various types of swamps, in which it seeks and captures its food, which, although it prefers fish, does not rule out feeding on aquatic snakesthat live in these bodies of water.
Don't hesitate to read the following post about the Shoebill: characteristics, where it lives, feeding and reproduction.
Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
The term eagle is used to identify a variety of birds of prey, and although most are native to Asia, Africa and Europe, some are native to America. In general, they have characteristics that allow them to have a carnivorous diet, such as their strong legs, hard beaks and agile flight
Among the group we can highlight those known as serpent eagles, which feed especially on these reptiles. We have an example in the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), which is distributed between Europe and Africa, specialized in catching snakes.
Discover How do eagles hunt? in the next article.
Opossums (genus Delphis)
Possums are a varied group of omnivorous animals, with a very broad diet, which can vary according to the season and the availability of resources. Among the amount of food they consume of type of animal are snakes. An example of these animals that eat snakes is found in the common or southern opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), which is capable of capturing andfeeding on the rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus), a highly venomous viper native to South America.
You can consult this article about Opossums: types, characteristics, feeding and habitat for more information on the subject.
Two-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma means)
Within the group of salamanders we also find predatory species of snakes. Such is the case of these amphibians that belong to the Amphiumidae family and are commonly known as amphiumas These are quite aggressive animals, of aquatic habits and with thin bodies that resemble an eel. An example is found in the two-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma means), which captures and consumes various species of aquatic snakes.
You can find out the types of salamanders that exist, here.
Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Various shark species are apex predators in the ecosystems in which they thrive, so they actively consume a variety of animalsto satisfy your exclusively carnivorous diet. Although some prefer large prey with greater nutritional content, in certain cases, such as the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), it can frequently consume sea snakes.
Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus)
Some animals are famous for consuming poisonous snakes, as is the case of mongooses, small mammals native to Africa, Asia and Europe, of which there are several species. An example of these animals that eat snakes is found in the Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), which easily captures this type of reptile, as they are very agile and fast hunters. In fact, even the idea has become popular that he is immune to the venom of these reptiles
Don't hesitate to consult the following post about Mongooses: what they are, types, characteristics and habitat.
European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
Other mammals that eat snakes are hedgehogs, peculiar animals and easily distinguished by their characteristic spines, which are really hollow hairs hardened by their keratin contentThere are several species of these animals that have an omnivorous diet , and one of them is the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) which includes in their diet to snakes.
Discover the Types of hedgehogs below.
King Cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah)
There are also snakes that eat snakes and a typical case is that of the king cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah), a very dangerous and even with a lethal bite for humans Some king cobras tend to specialize their diet in a particular type of snake, but others prefer to consume several species.
Among the snakes king cobras feed on we have:
- Asian Rat Snakes
- Dhamanes
- Pythons
- Indian cobras
- Green Whip Snakes
Other animals that eat snakes
In addition to those mentioned above, there are many other animals that feed on snakes, here are some of them:
- Bengal fox (Vulpes bengalensis).
- Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina).
- Centipedes (Scolopendra dawydoffi).
- Common Water Monitor (Varanus salvator).
- Two-color shrew (Crocidura leucodon).
- Goliath Tarantula (Theraphosa blondi).
- Brown Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus cinereus).
- Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius).
- Honey badger (Mellivora capensis).
- Cape cobra (Naja nivea).
