Snakes are predators, that hunt predators. Snakes are carnivores and eat animals. Snakes usually eat rats, birds, mice, insects, squirrels, rabbits, and other animals that fit in their jaw. Some snake species hunt other snakes which is a part of their diet. Snakes do not eat one of their own but hunt for other snake species. Some snakes that eat other snakes are:
7 Snakes That Eat Other Snakes
All snakes are carnivores, but not all snakes eat snakes, here’s a list of 6 snakes that eat other snakes:
- King Cobra
- Mussurana Snake
- Kingsnake
- Krait Snake
- Coachwhip
- Corn Snake
- Angolan Cobra
- King Brown Snake
- Eastern Indigo Snake
- Black-headed Pythons
- Racer Snakes
1 – King Cobra
| Scientific Name | Ophiophagus hannah |
| Lifespan | 18 – 20 Years |
| Length | 250 cm – 300 cm |
| Diet | Lizards, Rabbits, Deer, Cats, Squirrels, Hamsters, Weasels, Hedgehogs, Ferrets, and Other Small Mammals |
King Cobra is one of the most longest and venomous snakes. A full-grown King Cobra is so long that if it stands up, it can be the size of a full-grown human.
King Cobras eat other snakes that come in their way. These species eat whatever they want whether it’s a deer or a snake. King Cobras eat less due to their slow metabolism.
If King Cobras eat a large meal like a deer, they won’t eat anything for a few months. King Cobra is not very venomous as compared to other deadly snakes but when they bite, the amount of venom they release is enough to kill 18-20 people or an entire elephant.
Snake species that king cobra eats are:
- Pythons
- Indian Cobra
- Rat Snakes
- Green Whip Snakes
- Dhamans
- Vipers
2 – Mussurana Snake
| Scientific Name | Clelia |
| Lifespan | 13 – 15 Years |
| Length | 150 cm – 200 cm |
| Diet | Rats, Rabbits, Mice, Rodents, Insects, Beaver, Hyrax |
Massurana is a tropical American rear-fanged snake. Massurana snake eats both rodents and other snakes. It kills rodents using its venom and other snakes by squeezing them to death. Massurana snake is mostly found in Mexico, South, and Central America.
They usually live in huge forests and dense places. Massurana venom is very weak. It cannot kill a human. These snakes don’t tend to bite even when picked up and if it bites the side effects are not big.
A Bandage with ointment may heal the wound. Like all other snakes, the Massurana also hunts its prey using its jaws and body.
Snakes That Massurana Eat:
- Central American Pit Viper
- South American Pit Viper
- Micrurus Snake
- Eastern coral snake
- Elapidae
- Texas coral snake
- Arizona coral snake
- Scarlet kingsnake
- Calliophis
- Anilius
3 – Kingsnake
| Scientific Name | Lampropeltis |
| Lifespan | 12 – 15 Years |
| Length | 120 cm – 135 cm |
| Diet | Eggs, Fish, Rodents, Insects, Poultry, Chickens, Rats, Rabbits, Chipmunks |
Kingsnakes are mostly found in the United States. These snakes are widely spread in the US. Kingsnakes are nonvenomous snakes with a height of 1 to 1.5m and can grow up to 2.1m. They hunt other snakes, even the venomous ones because they are immune to their poison.
Kingsnakes come in different variations. Their most common variation is the band design. Some Kingsnakes have stripes, but the most common kingsnakes are those with bandings.
Kingsnakes are considered an endangered species, which means that if they bite, they do not give you much damage, except a little pain and swelling around the bite. They cannot kill a human with a single bite. The wound takes time to heal but it doesn’t give any further complications.
Snakes That Kingsnake Eats:
- Rattle Snake
- Cotton Mouths
- Copper head
- Gopher Snake
- Corn Snake
- Bullsnake
- Water Snake
- Brown Snake
4 – Krait Snake
| Scientific Name | Bungarus |
| Lifespan | 10 – 13 Years |
| Length | 100 cm – 150 cm |
| Diet | Frogs, Rabbits, Lizards, Toads, Birds, Rodents, Mice |
Krait snakes are one of the most venomous snakes. There are usually found in the middle east. They live in Asian forests and farm fields from Pakistan to Southern China. Krait is also known as Indian Krait. They belong to the top 4 most venomous snake species.
Krait hunt at night which means they are nocturnal. They hunt and eat other venomous snakes. Kraits are immune to other snakes’ poison. Krait only attacks humans when stepped on it or when they feel threatened by a human. A single krait bite can kill a human within 4-8 hours if not treated quickly.
Krait is 2 meters tall and can reach up to 2.5 meters. Their body colour is mostly glossy jet black or Bluish-Black, with different colour bands all over the body. One of the good things about a krait is that it does not bite or attack until and unless we force them to. Krait eats a variety of things including poisonous snakes, and other small mammals.
Snakes That Are Eaten By Kraits:
- Sunbeam Snake
- Copper Head
- Rainbow Water Snake
- Chinese Rat Snake
- Cat Snake
- Cotton Mouth
- Red-Tailed Pipe Snake
- Water Snake
- Elapidae
- Western ground snake
5 – Coachwhip
| Scientific Name | Masticophis flagellum |
| Lifespan | 13 – 20 Years |
| Length | 180 cm -240 cm |
| Diet | Lizards, Chipmunks, Rodents, Insects, Rabbits, Birds, Frogs, Rats |
- Brownish (Eastern Subspecies)
- Reddish (Western Subspecies)
- Black (Western Black Racer)
Coachwhip snakes are mostly found in the United States. They are nonvenomous snakes. Coachwhip hunts during the daytime. They are mostly active in hot weather. They hunt during the hottest weather when all the other snakes are hiding. There are some myths and rumors that coachwhips chase a human and whip people, well it’s a false myth.
Coachwhip snakes are not dangerous to pets or humans. They don’t bite until and unless they have to defend themselves. If they bite the danger level is very low. There will be less pain and a little bit of swelling around the wound which will heal within 1-2 weeks.
Snakes Eaten By Coachwhip:
- Corn Snake
- Ring Necked Snake
- Smooth Green Snake
- Brown Tree Snake
- Western Ground Snake
- Boomslang Snake
- Anilius
- Coral Reef Snake
6 – Corn Snake
| Scientific Name | Pantherophis guttatus |
| Lifespan | 7 -8 Years |
| Length | 60 cm to 180 cm |
| Diet | Quails, Chipmunks, Insects, Rodents, Rabbits, Mice, Hamsters, Chicken, Rats |
Corn snakes are a type of rat snake. They are called Corn Snakes because of their skin design and pattern of day corn. Corn snakes are considered very good climbers. They can climb a tree fast and easily. The average adult-size corn snake is about 1.7 – 2.3 Meters long. Corn snakes reach their adult size within 3 – 4 years.
Corn snakes mostly hunt during the day. They climb trees and enter buildings in search of food. Corn snakes avoid busy places, they usually stay on the ground looking for small animals and insects during the day.
Corn snakes are nonvenomous snakes, but still, they contain parasites and bad diseases that can be dangerous for humans and pets if they bite. They are not very aggressive as compared to other snakes and they try to avoid direct contact. Corn snakes don’t bite until and unless they feel threatened. Corn snakes are carnivores and eat a variety of things including snakes.
Snakes Eaten By Corn Snake:
- Brahminy blind snake
- Barbados thread snake
- Common garter snake
- Rough green snake
- Western ground snake
- Gopher Snake
- Tantilla hobartsmithi
- Lampropeltis pyromania
7 – Angolan Cobra
| Scientific Name | Naja anchietae |
| Lifespan | 17 – 20 Years |
| Length | 20 cm to 34 cm |
| Diet | Birds, Lizards, Turtle, Rabbits, Frogs, Bird, Eggs, Chicken, Rodents |
Angolan Cobra’s appearance and characteristics are similar to the snouted cobra snake. The average size of an Angolan snake varies from 2 – 2.3 meters. However, a fully grown Angolan snake is 2.5 meters long. Angolan snakes are usually found in grassy areas, hilly areas, and semi-desserts, and sometimes they are found in house storage places where they seek shelter for a few days.
Angolan snakes are nocturnal, which means they hunt food after dawn. They usually visit poultries, and rabbit hutch at night and are seen in their burrows. Angolan snakes are more aggressive towards humans and pets. If they see any human or pet walking nearby, they won’t miss a chance to bite.
Angolan snakes are very venomous. When they bite a human, the amount of venom they release can easily kill a human or cause some major fatalities. Angola snakes eat a variety of things including poisonous snakes.
Snakes Eaten By Angolan Snakes:
- Albino milk snake
- Children’s python
- Ribbon snake
- Garter snake
- Brahminy blind snake
- Malayan krait
- Coastal taipan
- Rough Green Snake
- Eastern copperhead
- Cottonmouth
- Common watersnake
8 – King Brown Snake
| Scientific Name | Pseudechis Australis |
| Lifespan | 20 – 25 Years |
| Length | 200 cm to 250 cm |
| Diet | Birds, Frogs, Reptiles, Dasyurids, Thornbills, Rodents, Rabbits |
King Brown Snakes are one of the most venomous snakes from the Elapidae family. They are found in Australia. They are large snakes with smooth snouts and wide heads. They weigh around 3 to 6 Kg. The longest King Brown snake has been observed to be around 300 cm in length. However, the average length of a King brown Snake varies from 150 cm to 250 cm.
King Brown snake color varies from species to species. The most seen color of the King Brown snake is Brownish-yellow and can be black, or grey sometimes. They have smooth brownish-yellow scales all over their body with wide heads and small eyes.
King Brown snakes are seen during the day and night. Their coming out depends on the weather. In summer, they are usually active, however, during winter they seek refuge in burrows, trees, under rocks, and shrublands.
Snakes That Are Eaten By King Brown Snake
- Whip Snakes
- Brown Tree Snakes
9 – Eastern Indigo Snake
| Scientific Name | Drymarchon couperi |
| Lifespan | 17 – 25 Years |
| Length | 120 cm – 240 cm |
| Diet | Small Alligators, Lizards, Rodents, Eggs, Birds, Frogs |
Eastern Indigo snakes are nonvenomous snakes from the family Colubridae. They are native to North America. They are bluish-black in color and give a purple shade in the sunlight. They have a triangle-shaped head which is reddish and orange from the chin to the neck. The Eastern Indigo snakes have large bodies and weigh around 2.2 Kg. Eastern Indigo snakes can grow up to 150 to 210 cm in length.
They are secretive snakes and avoid contact. These snakes are harmless and are not dangerous for humans and pets. The Eastern Indigo snake’s mating season starts in May and June. Female Eastern Indigo snakes can lay up to 4 to 11 eggs in one litter. They are diurnal snakes and are mostly seen out during the daylight. However, during winter they seek refuge in burrows, coastal dunes, marshes, scrubs, and Flatwoods.
Snakes Eaten By Eastern Indigo snakes
- Cotton Mouth Snake
- Rattle Snake
- Thread Snakes
10 – Black-headed Pythons
| Scientific Name | Aspidites melanocephalus |
| Lifespan | 20 – 25 Years |
| Length | 150 cm – 200 cm |
| Diet | Small Reptiles, Geckos, Lizards, Birds, Small Mammals |
Black-headed Pythons are nonvenomous snakes from the Pythonidae family. They are found in Australia. The Black-headed Pythons regulate their body temperature using their head. They take out their head only from burrows to get sunlight. These snakes have a small black head and neck. Their body is creamy with brown stripes.
The Black-headed Pythons weigh around 4 Kg and can grow up to 150 cm to 200 cm in length. They are great swimmers and climbers, they can easily climb vertical surfaces. However, they are not much seen in water because they are secretive snakes and avoid direct contact.
The Black-headed Pythons are nocturnal creatures and are only seen taking sunlight from their head during the daytime. They seek refuge in termite mounds, burrows, trees, and marshes.
Snakes Eaten By Black-Headed Pythons
- Rattle Snakes
- Garter snake
- Ribbon snake
- Malayan krait
- Brahminy blind snake
11 – Racer Snakes
| Scientific Name | Coluber constrictor |
| Lifespan | 8 – 10 Years |
| Length | 50 cm – 140 cm |
| Diet | Frogs, Insects, Butterflies, Larvae, Birds, Mice, Chipmunks, Small Mammals, Lizards, Toads |
Racer Snakes are nonvenomous snakes from the Colubridae family. They are found in North America. They are long snakes and are usually black or dark blue in color with smooth shiny scales all over their bodies. Juvenile Racer snakes are grey in color, however, their body color changes to black or dark blue when they grow.
Racer snakes can grow up to 80 cm to 140 cm in length. These snakes are diurnal species and are mostly seen hunting during the day. During the night they seek refuge in burrows, under rocks, bushy areas, marshes, and tempered forests.
Racer snakes are very good-tempered. They usually don’t bite and even when feeling threatened, they sometimes attack with their mouth close. However, if they bite you there is nothing to worry about because these snakes are nonvenomous and their bite can easily be healed by applying ointments.
Snakes Eaten By Racer snakes
- Children’s python
- Garter snake
- Brahminy blind snake
- Coastal taipan
- Rough Green Snake
FAQs
Do All Snakes Eat Snakes?
Snakes do eat other snakes but not all of them. Only those snakes eat other snakes that are immune to the poison when they eat.
What Are Snakes That Eat Other Snakes Called?
Snakes that eat other snakes are called phytophagic snakes. Some of the phytophagic snakes are King Cobra, Mussurana Snake, Kingsnake, Krait Snake, Coachwhip, Corn Snake, and Angolan Cobra.
Which Snakes Are Nonvenomous?
Not all snakes are venomous, some nonvenomous snakes are corn snakes, coachwhip, milk snakes, garter snakes, ribbon snakes, boa constrictors, Green Tree Python, etc.
Which Snakes Are The Most Venomous?
Some of the most venomous snakes in the world are the Inland taipan, Angolan Cobra, Tiger Snake, King Cobra, Banded Krait, Russell’s Viper, Black Mamba, etc.
Conclusion
Snakes are predators, they eat almost everything, even other snakes, but from different species. Snakes are immune to other snakes’ poison, so they eat a snake and then don’t eat anything for a few days, because their digestive system is slow. Snakes that eat other snakes are King Cobra, Mussurana Snake, Kingsnake, Krait Snake, Coachwhip, Corn Snake, Angolan Cobra, and many others.
