The King cobra is cannibalistic and even specializes in hunting other snakes: Apart from that, plenty of birds and mammals often prey on snakes, and some even have resistance to their venom.

I think one of the most remarkable predators of snakes is the King cobra, secretary bird, eagle, honey badger, and mongoose.

10 Animals that prey on Venomous Snakes

(1) The king cobra

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) or ‘Snake eater’ for short. she is one of the most venomous snakes in the world due to her big size and the fact that she raises her head up high with its hood spread out when it becomes agitated.

Respected for its capability to eat other large snakes, including smaller pythons, such as reticulated and Burmese pythons.

Native to India and can be found throughout Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, the Philippine Islands, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

She belongs to the genus, Ophiophagus, Greek for “snake eater.”

The king cobra can grow to about 16-18 feet in length and she’s the world’s longest venomous snake in the world.

Most king cobras are around 9-13 feet long, counting on their locality. They can weigh between 20-28 lbs, again depending on locality.

King Cobra facts

• They live in highland forests, woods, and pasture lands and also near bodies of water.

• King cobras feed almost entirely on other snakes, though they’re known to also eat rodents and lizards.
• They are highly toxic and therefore the snake can deliver a substantial amount during a single bite, upwards of 200 to 500 mg of venom.
• The venom affects the central nervous system, which causes blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and paralysis.

• It then causes the collapse of the cardiovascular system and eventually respiratory failure. Immediate medical treatment is essential to enhance survival from a king cobra snakebite.
• It is said that death can come to a person bitten by a king cobra within 30 minutes, depending on the amount of venom delivered during the envenomation.
• While king cobras are feared in their native range, they are not responsible for the most deaths from a venomous snakes.
• In fact, king cobras, like most other snakes, venomous and non-venomous, would prefer to stay away from humans, though human activity, such as deforestation and habitat destruction, has caused the interactions between venomous snakes and humans to grow.

• Other venomous snakes, such as the black mamba, are said by some to kill more people each year than the king of all venomous snakes. Animals skilled with killing venomous snakes.

(2) The Eagle

• One of the amazing features of the eagle is that the eagle is able to see five basic colors compared to a man that sees only three.
• The eagle is able to detect prey at great heights. For example, an eagle can detect a rabbit at a height of up to 3.2 km. This is 4-5 times better than a man’s eyesight!
• Eagles are capable of killing large snakes Knowing this you will then know that a snake also won’t be spared.
• The eagle would use its sharp claws and its beak to kill the snake. The claws are believed to have a grip that is ten times stronger than that of the human hand. 10 Animals that will kill venomous snakes.
• This strength is capable of crushing the head of the snake easily or leaving it to bleed to death. In defense, the snake would probably use its mouth to strike the eagle and check out to coil itself around the eagle.
• But this is not comparable to the injuries that the snake would get from the eagle. I hope you like reading. 10 Animals that will kill venomous snakes.

(3) PEACOCKS

1. Peacocks are tough on snakes. It is not widely known but Peacocks do not like snakes. A peacock or peahen will not let snakes live within their territory.
2. If they find a snake they will actively fight with it, even if it is a poisonous snake. They will also eat snakes.

(4) Secretary Birds

• Secretary birds can crush a snake’s skull faster than you can blink Snake-hunting Secretary Birds use the force of five times their body weight to stamp on and kill their prey.
• Researchers have discovered that Secretary Birds can kick with 195 Newtons, which is like five times their own weight, once they attack and kill their prey.
• The Sagittarius serpentarius uses its wings as protection from potential bites by flapping to distract its prey.
• Techniques are only reserved for difficult and dangerous animals like snakes. 10 Animals that will kill venomous snakes.

(5) The Indian gray mongoose

• The Indian gray mongoose is well known for its ability to kill venomous snakes, particularly cobras.
• Mongooses have a unique way of killing snakes. They first capture the snake’s attention using their eyes, this makes the snake immobile then they quickly hop on them.

[Video] Mongoose Vs King Cobra Big Battle

• The fight between the snake and mongooses is very rapid, it involves high jumps and a lot of tossing around.
• The mongoose isn’t resistant to the venom, but its thick coat stops the penetration of the venom. If the mongoose is lucky it takes a few hours to recover.
• They are adept at such tasks due to their agility, Urine of the mongoose may also be used to repel snakes with some level of efficacy but the public may not have access to this Snakes get wary when they smell a mongoose.
• Its thick coats and specialized acetylcholine receptors render them resistant to venom.

(6) Hedgehog

• We know it’s difficult to believe that such a small and fragile-looking animal has the ability to kill one of the world’s most feared animals.
• And you’d be surprised to understand that a hedgehog can kill a snake very quickly. A viper is unable to see however, it uses techniques of attack and retreat.
• The hedgehog knows that a snake can’t see so when the snake strikes it exposes its armor of spines.
• Each attack on this armor results in multiple snake injuries. Once the snake is so injured that it loses its ability to strike, the hedgehog comes out of its armor and bites the snake on its head.
• The procedure is repeated until the snake is dead. The animal starts eating the snake from its head and the process of eating last for hours because the hedgehog does not have big teeth.
• Hedgehogs are only partially immune to snakes, and venom, and they can even be killed if bitten in certain areas, like the muzzle.
• For example. Some can die in 3 hours after being bitten by the muzzle, others can experience just a swell.
• Hedgehogs’ resistance to venom is 35-45 times above that of a Guinea pig an equivalent size, but this is often influenced by the hedgehog’s size, the venom amount, and therefore the age of the snake.
• A hedgehog also can tolerate doses of arsenic that will kill 25 persons. 10 Animals that will kill venomous snakes.

(7) Honey Badger

• The next on our list is ratels. Known for their ability to kill snakes. Honey Badger grabs the viper from behind, holds him down by capturing its head, and then kills it with its powerful jaws.

• The best part of these Ratel is that they are immune to some of the venoms, for example, They can as well handle and kill a cobra. The venom of a cobra does not affect them.

• Whereas, this same venom can kill a human as it paralyzes them and destroy their respiratory system. Humans tend to die because of suffocation. 10 Animals that will kill venomous snakes

• The honey badger has molecular defenses against cobra venom’s neurotoxins, and loose, thick skin to help it avoid getting struck in the first place.

(8) ARMADILLOS

• A Spanish word meaning “little armored one” refers to the bony plates that cover the rear, head, legs, and tail of most of these odd-looking animals.

• it always stands motionless when a predator is approaching. But when posed with a threat, Armadillo will claw and bite.
• Through clawing and biting, these armored critters can transmit leprosy, rabies, and other harmful diseases.
• Armadillos can kill snakes by launching themselves upon these reptiles and cutting them with the edge of their hard shell.
• Armadillos, Raccoons, foxes, and coyotes also take the opportunity to consume many species of snakes. … These land animals are fast and the raccoons and foxes can also reach those snakes that live in the trees.

(9) RACOONS

• Raccoons are omnivores. Raccoons like humans have teeth designed to grind plants and tear meat.

• They are excellent problem solvers and can manipulate things with their paws and fingers which makes them good at adapting to environmental changes. 10 Animals that will kill venomous snakes

• They can as well open latches, unlocked doors, and garbage cans.

• Even inspect food using their paws and fingers and remove any unwanted pieces before eating it.

• Raccoons douse their food in water as well, but the reason they do that is debatable. Are they washing their food, softening their food, moistening their food to make it easier to swallow, softening their paws in order to better feel their food, or are they simply playing in water?. Only the raccoons know for sure.
• Raccoons are clever and resourceful animals. They live, eat, and adapt to diverse environments. Found in cold climates, warm climates, urban areas, and in some countries.
• Raccoons eat berries, fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables. They also eat insects, eggs, poultry, rats, squirrels, small livestock, birds, fish, snakes, crawfish, worms, frogs, and mollusks.
• Raccoons occasionally eat pet food, carrion, and human garbage. Raccoons wish to eat many various sorts of food.

What do raccoons eat in the wild?

• Raccoons in the wild are skilled at using their paws to catch fish, steal eggs or hatchlings from bird nests, and pick fruit.

• Further, they will raid a vegetable garden, a chicken house, a pet food bowl, or a garbage can.

• They will catch rats, squirrels, small livestock, snakes, frogs, chickens, crawfish, worms, and mollusks, but they prefer slower-moving, easier-to-catch prey. They love berries, acorns, and other tree nuts.

(10) Dogs, Cats, and Pigs

• The dogs and cats we have in our homes can also sometimes be able to catch snakes and kill them. Some dog species are trained on how to catch snakes and then kill them.

• Animals are useful in keeping snakes away. It is important to note that there are no house pets that are able to keep away the snakes unless they receive some special training and even with training, the pet is still at enormous risk.

• The dogs and cats can be able to do snake hunting but they cannot be able to patrol the property actively in search of snakes.
• When you choose to use your pet, you need to be aware that the pet may get bite injuries, and if you are in an area where the snakes are venomous, it can even lead to death.
• Pigs can also be able to kill snakes but then, this is more of an instinct than a hunt. The pigs stomp serpents when they get a chance to do so.

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