Coral Snake
Ancestory and Evolution
Body Structure
Eastern
Feeding
Reproduction
Western
Coral Snake Predators
Apart from other snakes, there are several species of animal that consume snakes. They include many birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, buzzards, storks, hornbills, and a few others. Among mammals, foxes, skunks, hedgehogs, raccoons, and mongooses eat snakes. Although more rare, there are a few species of spiders that eat snakes too. They include the black widow / red backed spider. Some species of toads also eat snakes, sometimes mistaking them for worms.
Snake Defense
Most snakes stay well hidden when they are not active. Because of their shape, they are well suited to entering small spaces in the ground. For coral snakes, they are very brightly colored and are banded, which does not conceal them in their environment to well. It does however, war other of them. Many predators build up a mental picture of their prey. Animals that do not match this picture are ignored, even though they are equally suitable. Oftentimes, a brightly colored and banded snake will be overlooked. Snakes as such are not common, and so they are feared as being dangerous or not suitable. Their bright coloration also warns predators of their danger.
When a snake is caught in the open, and a predator is seemingly about to attack, he/she will most likely try to escape. They may do this by fleeing, burrowing, or retreating into a small crevice. Snakes are not able to move very fast, so many do not venture off to far from their crevices and hiding spots.
When cornered, the snake will often turn to aggressive measures. These include hissing, and as a last resort striking. Very often, when the snake hisses it will also attempt a few mock strikes, to play the predators bluff. Oftentimes, a snake will also coil its body really tightly and cover its head. This serves to attempt to warn predators that the snakes shape will be too difficult to deal with.
Sometimes, as a last resort, snakes will play dead. This may seem strange but it is true.
