Do rattlesnakes eat other snakes? This is a question that frequently comes up usually because people are worried about their pet snakes escaping and being eaten by wild rattlesnakes. While it is true that rattlesnakes do occasionally eat other snakes it is not something that they do regularly or with great frequency.
There are three main reasons why rattlesnakes don’t typically eat other snakes. Firstly most rattlesnakes are not large enough to take down and eat an adult snake. Secondly snakes are not a preferred food source for rattlesnakes and so they are not particularly motivated to hunt them down. And thirdly snakes have a very strong defense mechanism in the form of their venom which can be dangerous (and even deadly) for rattlesnakes if they are not careful.
That being said there are some circumstances in which rattlesnakes have been known to eat other snakes. For example if a rattlesnake is very hungry and there are no other food sources available it may turn to eating snakes. Or if a rattlesnake is particularly large (such as the king cobra) it may be able to take down and eat even an adult snake.
If you are worried about your pet snake being eaten by a wild rattlesnake the best thing you can do is to keep it well-fed and to provide it with a safe secure enclosure. This will reduce the likelihood of it escaping and also make it less attractive as a food source for a wild rattlesnake.
What do rattlesnakes eat?
Other snakes lizards small mammals and birds.
Do all rattlesnakes eat other snakes?
No not all rattlesnakes eat other snakes.
Some rattlesnakes are actually specialized to eat lizards and small mammals.
Do rattlesnakes eat venomous snakes?
Yes rattlesnakes will eat other venomous snakes.
How do rattlesnakes kill their prey?
By injecting venom into their prey through their long fangs.
Do all rattlesnakes have venom?
Yes all rattlesnakes are venomous.
What does venom do to prey?
The venom will immediately begin to break down the tissue and muscles of the prey and will eventually kill it.
How long does it usually take for venom to kill prey?
It usually takes around an hour or two for the venom to kill the prey.
Do rattlesnakes always eat their prey whole?
No they do not always eat their prey whole.
If the prey is too large they will eat it in smaller pieces.
How often do rattlesnakes eat?
Rattlesnakes usually eat around once a week.
What happens if a rattlesnake does not eat for a long time?
If a rattlesnake goes too long without eating it will begin to starve and its health will quickly deteriorate.
What is the average lifespan of a rattlesnake?
The average lifespan of a rattlesnake is around 20 years.
Do all rattlesnakes live in warm climates?
No not all rattlesnakes live in warm climates.
Some rattlesnakes actually live in cold mountainous regions.
How do rattlesnakes keep warm in cold climates?
By basking in the sun and using their bodies to store heat.
How do rattlesnakes keep cool in warm climates?
By hiding in the shade and using their bodies to release heat.
What is the biggest threat to rattlesnakes?
humans.
Hunting and habitat destruction are the biggest threats to rattlesnakes.
