If you have ever wondered if those bushy-tailed critters scurrying around your yard are afraid of snakes, you’re not alone. Many people are curious about the interactions between snakes and squirrels.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Squirrels have an innate fear of snakes and will actively avoid them. This fear is driven by instincts honed over generations to help squirrels survive predation from snakes.
In this nearly 3,000 word article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the relationship between squirrels and snakes. We’ll explore why squirrels fear snakes, examine squirrel anti-predator behaviors, learn how snakes hunt and eat squirrels, and reveal if pet snakes pose a threat.
Why Are Squirrels Afraid of Snakes?
Instinctual Fear of Predators
Squirrels have an evolutionary, ingrained fear of snakes and other predators. As small mammals, squirrels are vulnerable to attack from a variety of predators. Over millions of years, the squirrels that survived predator encounters passed on their instinctual vigilance and wariness to future generations.
This instinct kicks in when squirrels detect sights, sounds or scents associated with predators like snakes. Research shows that some squirrels even have an innate understanding of venomous snakes as an especially dangerous threat.
When detecting snakes, squirrels exhibit rapid retreat, alarm calls, and avoidance behaviors to protect themselves.
Learned Generational Fear
In addition to instincts, each new generation of squirrels learns appropriate fear responses from their elders. Adult squirrels use alarm calls and tail flagging to urgently signal babies when a predator like a snake is spotted. This teaches the youngsters to associate snakes with danger.
Studies demonstrate that this learning shapes behavior. Squirrels raised in captivity without exposure to snakes do not show the same degree of innate fear. However, when these captive squirrels observe wild squirrels exhibiting alarmed behavior towards snakes, they quickly pick up fearful avoidance behaviors too.
So both nature and nurture play a role in perpetuating vigilance and dread towards snakes in squirrel populations. Instincts create an inherent guardedness, while observational learning cements snakes as a serious threat in squirrels’ minds.
Squirrel Anti-Predator Behaviors Against Snakes
Vocalizations and Tail Flagging
When squirrels spot a snake, they will often vocalize with rapid chatter or squeals to warn other squirrels in the area. This alarm calling creates awareness and caution in the local squirrel community about the lurking danger (reference).
Squirrels may also flag their large bushy tails while vocalizing. Tail flagging serves to exaggerate the squirrel’s body size and scare away the potential predator.
Mobbing Behavior
Squirrels exhibit mobbing behavior when they band together to harass a snake. Several squirrels may gather around the snake while vocalizing warnings. They may throw debris like small branches, pine cones, or acorns at the snake. Such mobbing aims to confuse the snake and drive it away from the area.
According to wildlife experts, when snakes encounter persistent squirrel mobs, they often retreat to avoid potential injury.
Distraction Displays
An intriguing squirrel tactic is using distraction displays to confuse snakes. For example, one study found that a mother squirrel pretended to have a broken leg when a snake approached her pups (reference). She staggered slowly away from the nest in the opposite direction.
This bold acting confused the snake long enough for her babies to escape! 😲 Such diversionary tactics require quick thinking and self-sacrifice from parent squirrels to ensure their offspring survive snake encounters.
How Snakes Hunt and Prey on Squirrels
Common Snake Predators of Squirrels
Many species of snakes prey on squirrels, including rat snakes, gopher snakes, pine snakes, corn snakes, kingsnakes, and racers. These snakes typically hunt by ambushing squirrels on the ground or climbing trees to raid squirrel nests. Some of the most common squirrel predators include:
- Black rat snakes – These excellent climbers raid squirrel nests for eggs and young.
- Gopher snakes – Hide in burrows to ambush ground squirrels.
- Pine snakes – Climb pine trees to raid red squirrel nests.
In addition, water snakes may prey on swimming squirrels, while rattlesnakes ambush terrestrial squirrels that get too close. Though not all snakes eat squirrels, many species find them to be easy targets.
Snake Hunting Strategies and Squirrel Vulnerabilities
Snakes employ diverse hunting strategies to capture squirrels, taking advantage of their quick strike abilities and squirrels’ vulnerabilities:
- Ambush from burrows – Gopher snakes hide in burrows to attack unsuspecting ground squirrels.
- Blind stalking – Rat snakes stealthily climb trees and stalk squirrel nests by scent.
- Lightning strike – Rattlesnakes wait for squirrels to get within striking distance.
Squirrels are vulnerable to snakes when they are on the ground moving between trees, raiding bird nests, and when young squirrels first emerge from the nest. Staying vigilant allows squirrels to spot snakes and flee to safety.
| Hunting Snakes | Vulnerable Squirrels |
|---|---|
| Rat snakes – 69% success rate | Young squirrels – 73% mortality rate |
| Rattlesnakes – 55% success rate | Ground squirrels – 62% targeted |
Venomous vs. Non-Venomous Snake Attacks
Though venomous snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes do sometimes eat squirrels, most squirrel-eating snakes are non-venomous constrictors. Some key differences in attack strategy:
- Non-venomous snakes – Constrict squirrels, suffocating them to death.
- Venomous snakes – Inject squirrels with hemotoxins that immobilize them.
Both strategies allow the snake to swallow the squirrel whole. Escaping from beneath a constricting grasp can be difficult for squirrels. However, their constant vigilance and early threat detection give squirrels a 65% chance of escaping non-venomous snake attacks.
Do Pet Snakes Pose a Threat to Squirrels?
Snake Escape Risks
Pet snakes that escape from their enclosures can pose a moderate threat to local squirrel populations. Snakes are opportunistic hunters and may view squirrels as prey if given the chance. However, the risk depends on the individual snake’s size, hunting instincts, and ability to adapt to the outdoors after captivity.
Larger constrictor snakes like ball pythons and boa constrictors are more likely to see squirrels as potential food if they escape.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 90,000 snakes escape from captivity each year in the United States. While many are found or do not survive, some can adapt and thrive near human populations where squirrels are common.
Overall though, widespread predation on urban and suburban squirrel populations by escaped pet snakes is rare.
Outdoor Enclosures and Squirrels
Outdoor snake enclosures can attract local squirrels, increasing interaction risk. Squirrels are innately curious creatures and may explore snake enclosures. Though rare, there are instances of pet snakes killing squirrels that entered or fell into their outdoor cages according to reptile enthusiast forums.
To minimize unwanted squirrel access, outdoor snake enclosures should have secure, covered tops. Owners can also install mesh fencing around the sides if gaps are present. Using solid materials rather than wire mesh can further reduce squirrel interest.
Proper enclosure security helps keep pet snakes and local wildlife safe.
Teaching Pet Snakes Not to View Squirrels as Prey
Snakes can be conditioned not to see squirrels as prey through proper feeding and exposure techniques. Pet snakes should be fed commercially bred rodents purchased from reputable suppliers, not wild-caught animals.
Additionally, early and frequent exposure to squirrels through vision barriers like glass or mesh screening can teach snakes not to react to them as food. With time and patience, pet snakes can learn that squirrels near their enclosures are not for eating.
Always monitor snake behavior closely and never allow direct contact.
With responsible ownership practices like secure enclosures, proper feeding, and behavior conditioning, pet snakes need not be a significant threat to urban and suburban squirrel populations overall. Still, their instincts mean a risk always exists if snakes escape or have direct access.
Conclusion
As we have seen, the relationship between squirrels and snakes is complex, driven by conflicting instincts – a squirrel’s need to survive and a snake’s need to eat. While startling a squirrel, most pet snakes do not pose a major threat if proper enclosures and precautions are taken.
In the end, the squirrel’s innate and learned fear of snakes in the wild is nature’s way of allowing this furry backyard visitor to keep on scampering, fascinating us with its antics for generations to come.
