18 Animals That Have Snakes on Their Menu

There’s always a bigger fish! The snakes know it all too well. One moment you’re the apex predator in the neighborhood, and the next you’re chow for a honey badger or for other snakes. It’s a tough world out there for them because they need to keep their eyes (or tongues) open for any threats from above, in front, or below. And snakes can’t exactly run away either since they’re usually very slow because they don’t have legs.

Mongoose

Mongooses are small, badass mammals that have a bone to pick with snakes. Equipped with specialized acetylcholine receptors, these animals are resistant to various kinds of snake venom. Besides snakes, they eat insects, rodents, and birds, making them effective pest controllers in their habitats. However, snakes are somewhat of a mongoose delicacy.

Wolverine

Wolverines are fierce predators that never back down, no matter what animal is in front of them. Their diet includes small and medium-sized animals, and they won’t hesitate to take on large prey or scavenge. Wolverines have very sharp claws, which they use to grab their prey and hold onto it while ripping it to shreds with their teeth.

Snake Eagle

Snake eagles are birds of prey that primarily eat snakes, including venomous species, if the name wasn’t enough evidence. Thanks to the thick scales on their legs for protection, the snake stands no chance against this bird. These eagles, like most other eagle species, have powerful vision and are able to detect snakes from high up in the air.

Kingsnake

Kingsnakes are non-venomous constrictors that eat other snakes, including venomous ones. Their immunity to venom makes them tough opponents for other snakes. They are opportunistic feeders and also consume small mammals, birds, and eggs. And if you see such a colorful snake in the wild, remember the saying ‘Red on black, friend of Jack, red on yellow, kill a fellow’ to differentiate them from similar-looking but venomous snakes.

Bobcat

The bobcat loves consuming snakes when other prey isn’t available. It also preys on small to medium-sized animals like rabbits, birds, and rodents. Bobcats are solitary and territorial, using stealth and agility to capture their prey. Once it fixates on a snake, it will not be able to escape the fight alive.

Hedgehog

Do hedgehogs eat anything other than insects or worms? Yes, they enjoy eating small vertebrates such as snakes and the occasional dead bird. Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal animals that search for food at night, which coincides with when snakes are most active as well. There were also cases of snakes impaling themselves on the hedgehog quills. Now that’s a gruesome way to end up being hedgehog chow.

Honey Badger

The honey badger is the destroyer of worlds. As Randall from THAT viral honey badger YouTube video says, “the honey badger doesn’t give a ****”, and you should run (or slither away if you’re a snake) if you see one. It’s immune to many venoms and consumes a variety of diets, including snakes. It also regularly stands up against lions, acting like a lunatic to discourage them from coming close.

King Cobra

The King Cobra earned his crown not through inheritance but by eliminating all snake usurpers in the world. This is a snake that eats other snakes. It eats other animals too, but mostly snakes. The King Cobra is both large and venomous, so any snake that isn’t larger or more brutal will succumb to its attack.

Secretary Bird

Another death from above for the slithering reptiles on the ground. The secretary bird specializes in hunting snakes. It has long, thin legs with sharp talons, but it doesn’t actually swoop down to kill the snake like some of its bird cousins. Instead, when it sees a snake, it stomps the ground with its legs, concussing the reptile and eventually killing it. From the snake’s perspective, this still counts as death from above.

Crocodile

Crocodiles usually eat prey such as fish, mammals that come to drink from the water bodies they reside in, and resting birds. However, they will happily munch on some snakes or snake eggs. Eggs are highly nutritious, and certain snake species lay them near water bodies. If the water body happens to be infested with crocodiles, those eggs will not be having a good time.

Roadrunner

The roadrunner may constantly run from the coyote (outsmarting him every time), but it’ll run toward a snake, no problem. These birds prefer running over flying, which means they can focus solely on what’s down and in front of them. They also consume insects, small mammals, and other reptiles, so their mouth is akin to that of a kitchen chef.

Harpy Eagle

Harpy eagles look like they came out of a fairy tale or a myth about a brave hero. They’re pretty intense, especially since they often prey on monkeys, sloths, and opossums—animals that are by no means small. But they don’t hesitate to catch snakes, either. With massive talons and strong beaks, it doesn’t matter how large the prey is—it doesn’t stand a chance.

Red-Tailed Hawk

Wow, snakes really don’t have it easy with birds because many of their species eat them. And the red-tailed hawk isn’t like those terrestrial birds or puny owls—it’s a hawk, which means it flies very high up and swoops down at breakneck speeds to grab the snake with its extremely sharp talons.

Opossum

Opossums are opportunistic eaters with a varied diet. They consume fruits, insects, small mammals, and reptiles, including snakes. These animals also keep tick populations down because they’re part of their menu. They can safely eat venomous snakes because of their immunity to venom.

Raccoon

The trash panda loves to eat whatever it can get its grubby hands on, which includes snakes (but also fruit and insects). However, they seem to prefer human-populated areas with lots of trash because they seem to prefer our food and snacks. Probably because that food doesn’t fight back, so it’s simply safer (but maybe tastier as well, we’d have to ask the local raccoons).

Large Cat

Large cats like lions, tigers, and leopards usually hunt antelope, large rodents, monkeys, and similar animals. However, when food is scarce and energy is limited, snakes also become highly edible prey. They’re packed with protein, so a hefty 5-foot snake can easily feed a large cat or two.

Tarantula

These large and hairy arachnids are usually shy pets that don’t like too much physical contact, but in the wild, they’re killing machines. Tarantulas use their venomous fangs to paralyze their prey before consuming it. Their venom is too weak to affect humans, but if a snake is caught in their ambush, well, good luck, because it’s not leaving in one piece.

Human

Arguably, the snakes’ biggest predators are humans. Certain cultures around the world eat snakes, either as part of a consistent diet or as a delicacy. People eat thousands of snakes every day in certain parts of Africa and Asia, but you can also find snake meat (e.g., snake skewers) in the US. Although, if you aren’t used to the meat, it definitely ends up being an acquired taste.

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