What Animals Eat Coral Snakes?

Coral snakes are venomous elapids known all around the world for how dangerous they can be. They are one of the only snakes known to have their own personal and worldwide-known rhyme. Although they aren’t as dangerous as some vipers, such as the saw-scaled viper or the Mojave rattlesnake, coral snakes still have one of the most toxic venoms.

Coral snakes, like many reptiles, mostly feed on other reptiles and small mammals. However, just like their prey, these animals are also hunted and preyed upon by other animals. If you’re wondering what animals would dare prey on such toxic snakes, you’re in for a shocker. Find out what animals eat coral snakes.

How Venomous Are Coral Snakes?

Many coral snakes are tri-colored snakes with red, yellow, white, or black rings. The coral snake rhyme goes thus: Red touch black, safe for Jack, Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. However, this rhyme only applies to most coral snakes in the USA. Coral snakes in other locations may not follow this pattern, and considering that we cannot be sure where it was taken or see its head clearly, we cannot decide its species without reasonable doubt.

Coral snakes are known to be reclusive and avoid human company. They are mainly nocturnal but may be spotted in the early hours of some cool mornings.

Coral snakes have venom that contains neurotoxins that cause paralysis and respiratory failure. There are over 80 coral snake species divided into two groups: Old World elapid snakes and New World elapid snakes. Consequently, they have a wide range of venom potency and yield. However, the eastern coral snake has a maximum venom yield of 20 mg, which is approximately equal to four or five lethal doses for an adult human.

What Animals Eat Coral Snakes?

Birds

Shockingly, birds are one of the top predators of snakes. Many birds of prey (such as hawks and eagles) prey on snakes. Most snake-eating birds have strong wings for flying, sharp beaks for dissecting and fighting, and powerful talons and claws, which they use to hunt and kill snakes such as the coral snake. Many of these birds can kill snakes with a single kick which they use to crush the snake’s spine and skull.

Ground Squirrels

Surprisingly, ground squirrels are another animal that kills snakes. They do this by catching and wrestling snakes to death before eating them. Although ground squirrels mostly go for nuts and plants, they are opportunistic hunters, which means they will occasionally prey on small or juvenile snakes.

Ground squirrels can fight and eat snakes because they have a level of resistance to the venom of many snakes, such as rattlesnakes. These mammals may look cute and harmless, but don’t let them fool you — they’re more powerful than they appear.

Another surprising thing that ground squirrels do is find the skin of dead or molted rattlesnakes and coat themselves in their scent to smell like them, warning predators to stay away. Talk about clever!

Other Coral Snakes

Coral snakes are carnivorous and are known to eat other snakes. Many times, this includes other coral snakes. These snakes don’t discriminate, though, as they eat nonvenomous snakes too.

Spiders

If you needed any more information to confirm just how scary spiders can be, here it is: spiders eat snakes. These incidents aren’t all opportunistic either, as some spiders, such as the black widow, can fight and eat snakes up to 30 times their size. Their venom is extremely potent, and their webs are strong enough to hold these snakes down.

Bull Frogs

Bullfrogs look like amphibians who love to snack, which is absolutely true. They eat, or at least attempt to eat, anything they can, including snakes and even other bullfrogs, making them cannibals. The American bullfrog, for instance, eats snakes but is also eaten by snakes.

Bullfrogs are generally known to be aggressive. African bullfrogs often inflate their bodies and open their mouths while they attack. On the other hand, American bullfrogs are known to let out a piercing shriek-scream when they are under attack.

Opossums

Opossums are omnivores, which is indicative of their wide diet. They eat fruit, eggs, leaves, small mammals, birds, garbage, maggots, and snakes. They aren’t afraid to work for their kills and often attack and kill venomous snakes. Like ground squirrels, they have a measure of resistance to the venom of many snakes.

Luckily, these animals aren’t aggressive and rarely attack humans. When they see humans, they either hiss to look dangerous or play dead. Opossums only bite when they have no other option. Their bites aren’t venomous and would likely only need simple first aid to avoid infections.