One of the biggest predators of rattlesnakes in the wild is
the king snake
. Black snakes also attack and eat rattlers. Owls, eagles and hawks enjoy making a rattlesnake their meal. Strong predatory birds like these swoop down from flight to attack and carry the snake away in their talons.
What bird can kill a rattlesnake?
The Roadrunner
is one of the few predators of rattlesnakes and will kill them in an amazing show of agility, speed, and vicious resolve. The bird in the video kills the rattlesnake by bashing the snake’s head against the ground, but they will also kill them by pecking through the back of its head.
Can a hawk kill a rattlesnake?
Aerial predators like
owls, eagles and hawks may swoop down and snatch up a rattlesnake
, while animals on the ground like foxes, coyotes, feral cats and even turkeys may also take on the rattler as a possible source of food.
Does hawk feed on snake?
Red-tailed hawks mostly hunt mammals—such as voles, mice, wood rats, ground squirrels, rabbits, snowshoe hares and jackrabbits. But they will also
eat birds, carrion and snakes
—even ones weighing more than five pounds. … Thanks for taking the time to help this bird.
What animal eats rattlesnakes?
Eagles, hawks, roadrunners, kingsnakes, coyote, bobcats or fox
are predators who look at these snakes as a source of food.
What is the lifespan of a rattlesnake?
The natural lifespan of an eastern diamondback rattlesnake is probably
15 to 20 years
, but evidence from the field indicates that few individuals today live longer than 10 years, likely due to exploitation for the skin trade, vehicle strikes and other human-driven threats.
What eats a hawk?
Birds of Prey predators:
Eagles
are other avian vultures that can, and, at occasion, eat a hawk or two. Raccoons, red foxes, and owls are also other animals that eat hawks when granted the opportunity. The amount of predators are few, from the hawks point of view.
Do hawks eat dogs?
Hawks and their raptor cousins are opportunistic animals, so
dogs
, puppies, cats, kittens, ferrets, guinea pigs, ducks, rabbits and chickens are also on the menu. Fiercely protective of their nests, these formidable birds are also known to attack larger animals, even humans, on occasion.
Do hawks eat cats?
But do hawks actually eat cats? While
hawks won’t go out of their way to attack and eat a cat
, particularly since cats are generally larger than their normal prey, they will go after a cat if they are hungry enough and have the opportunity.
What state has the most rattlesnakes?
The large majority of species lives in the American Southwest and Mexico. Four species may be found east of the Mississippi River, and two in South America. In the United States, the states with the most types of rattlesnakes are
Texas and Arizona
.
Can you survive a rattlesnake bite without treatment?
Rattlesnake bites are a medical emergency. Rattlesnakes are venomous. If you’re bitten by one it can be dangerous, but it’s very rarely fatal. However,
if left untreated, the bite may result in severe medical problems or can be fatal
.
How far can a rattlesnake strike?
As a rule of thumb, rattlesnakes can, at best, strike a distance of
two-thirds their total body length
. For example, a three foot long snake may be able to strike a distance of two feet.
Where do rattlesnakes go at night?
Where do rattlesnakes sleep? They may seek
protection under a rock, log, or in a crevice
, but they may also coil near these objects or a tree, or even in the open to snooze. It’s tough to know when rattlesnakes are sleeping, as they have no eyelids, so their eyes are always open!
What are rattlesnakes favorite food?
Diet. Rattlesnakes’ favorite foods are
small rodents and lizards
. They lie in wait until a victim comes along, and then strike at speeds of five-tenths of a second, according to the San Diego Zoo. Their venom paralyzes the prey, which they then swallow whole.
Do rattlesnakes sleep at night?
Snakes turn in for the evening, sleeping at night.
Not true
. Rattlesnakes are more nocturnal in the heat of summer than in the spring or fall. Desert rattlers are more nocturnal than those living in heavy brush or humid areas.
What is a hawks enemy?
Adult red-tailed hawks have few predators, but
great horned owls and crows
prey on red-tailed hawk eggs and nestlings. Owls compete with the red-tailed hawks for nest sites; both birds are known to kill the young and destroy the eggs of the other in an attempt at taking a nest site.
