Although snakes are commonly thought to eat only rodents such as mice this is not always the case. While many snakes do prefer to hunt and eat small mammals there are a number of other food items that they will consume. These include other reptiles birds eggs insects and even fish. In fact some species of snakes are primarily carnivorous meaning that they predominantly eat meat.
One of the most common misconceptions about snakes is that they will only eat live prey. This is not true as snakes are just as happy to consume dead animals. In fact many snakes will scavenge for food which means that they will eat carcasses that they find. This is especially common in areas where there are not many live prey items available.
The size of the prey that a snake eats will depend on the size of the snake. Smaller snakes will typically eat smaller prey items while larger snakes can eat prey that is much larger in size. This is one of the reasons why some people believe that snakes can eat humans. However there are no documented cases of a snake swallowing a human whole.
When a snake catches its prey it will typically coil itself around the animal and constrict it. This will kill the prey and make it easier for the snake to swallow. In some cases the snake will strike and kill its prey before swallowing it. Snakes have very powerful venom that they can use to kill their prey quickly.
After the prey has been killed the snake will begin to swallow it. The process of swallowing can take a long time depending on the size of the prey. In some cases the snake will eat the prey head first. In other cases it will swallow the prey whole.
Once the prey has been swallowed it will be digested in the snake’s stomach. The process of digestion can take several days or even weeks. Snakes have very efficient digestive systems that can break down their prey completely.
So what do snakes eat? Mice are just one of the many food items that snakes will consume. Other common prey items include other reptiles birds eggs insects and even fish.
What do snakes eat?
Mice
What do snakes eat if there are no mice around?
Small mammals such as shrews squirrels and rabbits
What do baby snakes eat?
Smaller insects such as grubs caterpillars and beetles
What do some snakes eat?
Frogs lizards and other snakes
What do large snakes eat?
Large mammals such as deer pigs and cattle
What does it mean if a snake is eating another snake?
The snake is either a cannibal or is venomous and the other snake is its prey
What do snakes that live in water eat?
Fish tadpoles and other aquatic creatures
What do snakes that live in the desert eat?
Lizards small mammals and insects
What do snakes that live in the rainforest eat?
Small mammals lizards frogs and birds
What do snakes that live in the mountains eat?
Small mammals such as rodents and rabbits
What do pythons eat?
Large mammals such as deer pigs and cattle
What do boas eat?
Small mammals lizards frogs and birds
What do anacondas eat?
Large mammals such as deer pigs and cattle
What do cobras eat?
Small mammals such as rodents and rabbits
What do vipers eat?
Small mammals such as rodents and rabbits
