Cats and snakes inhabiting the same environment often interact, sometimes to the peril of one or both creatures. If you’ve seen your cat batting at a snake slithering through the yard or along a fence, you may wonder – are snakes afraid of cats?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: While individual snakes likely don’t feel ‘afraid’ of cats, they do seem to avoid them. This is likely an instinctive response to cats as predators. When confronted directly, snakes may exhibit defensive behaviors to try to scare cats away or avoid attack.
Snakes’ Instinctive Avoidance of Cats
Cats View Snakes as Prey
Cats are natural predators that will readily hunt snakes when given the opportunity. In fact, cats were originally domesticated in part to help control vermin and snakes around human settlements. Their keen eyesight, stealthy stalking skills, quick reflexes, and sharp claws make cats well-suited for preying on snakes.
Snakes, being limbless and unable to flee quickly, are vulnerable to surprise cat attacks. Cats’ tendency to play with their prey before killing it is also bad news for snakes that get caught. Even house cats that don’t need to hunt will often instinctively pounce on snakes that cross their path.
Snakes Detect Chemical Cues to Avoid Threats
Being preyed upon by cats and other predators has led snakes to evolve specialized senses and behaviors to detect threats early and avoid confrontation. Their forked tongues let them quickly sample odor molecules in the air, picking up scents left behind by potential predators like cats.
Once a snake detects the smell of a cat in the area, it will usually slither away quickly in the opposite direction or hide. Some snakes may exhibit defensive postures like coiling their bodies or inflating their heads to appear more intimidating to the cat.
Interestingly, studies show that snakes can even identify the specific predatory threat based on scent cues. So a snake may recognize that it’s picking up the odor of a cat versus a different predator like a raccoon or bird of prey.
This keen chemosensory ability allows snakes to steer clear of cats and likely contributes to the wariness most snakes exhibit around felines. It’s a key instinct that has helped snakes survive in environments rife with cat predators for millennia.
Snake Defensive Behaviors Toward Cats
Rattling Tails
One of the most common defensive behaviors snakes exhibit toward cats is tail rattling. This occurs when snakes rapidly vibrate their tails, creating a unique rattling sound. Rattlesnakes are especially known for this behavior, as their special rattle segments amplify the sound.
But even nonvenomous snakes like gopher snakes and bull snakes will often rattle their tails when confronted by a curious cat. The rattling serves as an auditory warning to the cat that the snake feels threatened and may strike if provoked further.
An estimated 75% of cats retreat once they hear the rattle of an aggravated snake. Who can blame them? That sound says “back off” clearer than any hiss or growl! So if kitty is nosing around the woodpile and you hear an ominous buzz, she may have disturbed one unhappy serpent.
Hissing and Striking
If rattling its tail doesn’t scare the cat away, the snake may take things up a notch by hissed loudly and striking out. Snake hisses are similar to cat hisses in that they are an aggressive vocalization meant to scare off a potential threat.
The snake will also flatten out its head and neck area to appear larger and more imposing. Along with the vocal hiss, venomous snakes may strike out or lunge forward in an attempt to bite the cat. Even if the snake’s bite doesn’t inject venom, the sharp fangs can produce deep puncture wounds.
Nonvenomous snakes are more likely to perform a mock strike or feigned lunge rather than actually sink their teeth into the cat. Still, getting whacked in the nose by an irritated snake can be enough to send most inquisitive cats scurrying away.
An estimated 60% of cats flee immediately when hissed at or struck toward by a riled snake. Bottom line: snake hisses and strikes say “back off right meow!” in a language any cat can understand.
Playing Dead
If rattling, hissing, and striking don’t make the cat retreat, some snakes resort to playing dead as a last ditch self-defense effort. This tactic is often used by hognose snakes when threatened. The snake rolls onto its back, opens its mouth, and extends its tongue.
It mimics the look and smell of a dead snake, going completely still and limp. The goal is to convince the cat that the snake is already dead, removing the cat’s desire to continue harassing or attacking it.
Interestingly, experts report cats seem less fooled by this ploy compared to many other animals. Perhaps because cats regularly bring home their own dead prey, they aren’t as deterred by a seemingly deceased snake.
Even so, the bizarre behavior is often enough to confuse the cat and make it lose interest in the unresponsive snake. So by feigning death, the snake buys itself time to right itself and slither away once the cat wanders off. It’s the ultimate snake scare tactic when all else fails!
When Confrontations Turn Deadly
Cats at Risk of Envenomation
Cats and snakes living in close proximity are bound to have hostile encounters from time to time. Unfortunately, these run-ins can turn fatal if the snake is venomous. Cats are curious creatures and may pounce or swat at a snake, provoking it to bite in self-defense.
Venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths can deliver a lethal dose of venom to a cat within seconds. According to the ASPCA, envenomation is one of the most common causes of death in cats who have tangled with snakes.
Cats who are bitten by venomous snakes can rapidly develop serious symptoms like dilated pupils, excessive drooling, vomiting, and muscle tremors. Swelling and tissue damage around the bite wound may also occur as the venom spreads.
If untreated, respiratory paralysis and sudden death can follow within hours. So it’s absolutely crucial to get antivenom treatment for the cat as soon as possible. Keeping cats indoors or closely supervised outdoors in snake habitat can help prevent tragic encounters.
Constrictors Pose Threat to Cats and Kittens
While venomous snakes are extremely dangerous, large constrictor snakes can also injure or kill felines in certain situations. These include regional species like corn snakes, kingsnakes, and pine snakes, as well as largest constrictors like boa constrictors, anacondas, and pythons, which sometimes escape or are released from captivity.
Although not venomous, large constrictors can inflict serious damage due to their massive size and muscular bodies. “Any constrictor over 6 feet long and over 30 pounds should be considered a risk to cats and kittens,” says veterinarian Dr. Jessica Vogelsang.
“They eat small animals and don’t distinguish between wild rodents and household pets.” Cases have been documented of escaped pythons and boas swallowing domestic cats and other animals in and around homes.
Constrictors grab onto prey with sharp teeth, then coil their muscular bodies around the animal and squeeze tight to suffocate it. Kittens and cats under 10 pounds are most at risk of being constricted and eaten.
But even larger cats may be attacked defensively if they stumble across a large constrictor. Constriction injuries can cause puncture wounds, fractured ribs, brain damage, and death by suffocation. Responsible snake ownership and containment is a must in homes with cats and exotic pets.
Precautions for Cat and Snake Safety
Supervise outdoor cats
Allowing cats to roam outdoors unsupervised puts them at higher risk of encountering venomous snakes. It’s best to accompany cats when they go outside to monitor their activity. This allows you to promptly intervene if a snake is spotted.
Alternatively, build an enclosed “catio” so cats can enjoy time outdoors safely.
When supervising outdoor cats, watch for signs they notice a snake nearby, like focused staring, tense body language, and puffed out fur. Keep cats on a leash to maintan control. If a snake is seen, calmly guide the cat away from the area.
Snake-proof enclosed spaces
Constructing an escape-proof outdoor cat enclosure with proper materials can create a safer outdoor space. Use hardware cloth or wire mesh fencing with small openings that prevent snakes from entering. Bury the bottom edge to prevent snakes from burrowing underneath.
Check enclosed areas thoroughly for holes or gaps before letting your cat inside. Add smooth barriers like PVC pipes or aluminum flashing at fence corners that snakes can use to climb up. Keep the enclosure clear of debris piles where snakes may hide.
Remove snake hiding spots
Without proper precautions, areas around your home can attract snakes and put your cat’s safety at risk. Eliminate potential snake hiding places like wood piles, tall grass, and bushes near the house exterior. Trim ground vegetation short, and clear out any brush or debris piles.
Seal cracks and holes along your home’s foundation that could offer access. Use metal mesh to seal vents, openings under doors, and areas around pipe penetrations. Properly stored compost heaps should be contained within secure bins, not loose piles.
Conclusion
While individual snakes likely don’t feel an emotion like fear toward cats, their behaviors have evolved to instinctively avoid feline predators. By understanding these predator/prey dynamics and taking proper precautions, we can reduce risky encounters that endanger cats, snakes, and even people.
