Many of us see rattlesnakes as some of the scariest creatures we could encounter. There are many venomous species, and their bites can be deadly if left untreated. However, even the most fearsome predators have their weaknesses. This list reveals 18 animals that even rattlesnakes are afraid of.
Honey Badger
Honey badgers may look pretty cute, but don’t let that fool you. These furry little guys are known for being very brave, feisty, and capable of taking down predators much bigger than themselves, including some venomous snakes. According to the National Library of Medicine, they can do this because they’re able to withstand venomous bites and are even immune to some types of snake venom.
Mongoose
Like honey badgers, mongooses are adorable little mammals with a deadly secret. Their agility, fast reflexes, and ferocious nature make them a real threat to other predators. In fact, they’re famous for their ability to hunt and kill snakes, including some venomous species.
Secretary Bird
The secretary bird is a huge bird of prey that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. It is able to successfully prey on several species of snakes by crushing them with its strong legs. These powerful birds are known to feed on many types of reptiles, including vipers and cobras.
King Cobra
Speaking of cobras, the king cobra is another fierce competitor that could pose a serious threat to rattlesnakes. They’re known for being one of the longest venomous snakes in the world, growing up to a whopping 18 feet in length. While they typically avoid confrontations with other venomous snakes, they do prey on smaller species.
Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are cute little creatures that you may not expect to challenge other predators. However, their diet actually includes several species of small snakes, including some venomous kinds. Their ability to curl up into a spiky little ball also makes it much more difficult for snakes to attack them.
Komodo Dragon
According to the National Zoo, Komodo dragons are the largest reptiles on our planet, with some specimens reaching an incredible length of over 10 feet. Their strong jaws and sharp teeth make them capable of taking down several species of snakes, including some venomous ones.
Roadrunner
As their name suggests, roadrunners are swift birds capable of covering impressive distances in a short space of time. Their combination of speed, agility, and enhanced vision allows them to successfully prey on some species of snakes. Once caught, they’ll peck at their heads or use their sharp claws to kill and eat their prey.
Eagle
Eagles are powerful birds of prey famous for their striking appearance, excellent eyesight, and sharp talons. This skill set enables them to take down many snakes, including venomous species, fairly easily. They can quickly swoop in on their target before they know what’s hit them.
Shrike
The shrike may look small and cute, but don’t let that fool you. These little birds have a surprisingly gruesome way of handling their prey. According to the National Audubon Society, after paralyzing their victims with a strike to the spinal cord, they shake them so hard they break their necks. They are also known to impale their prey on sharp thorns or barbed wire to save them for later.
Wild Boar
Wild boars are famous for their aggressive nature, powerful jaws, and sharp tusks. While they typically avoid confrontations, they’re capable of trampling or piercing snakes with their hooves and tusks if necessary. Their omnivorous diet includes insects, plants, small mammals, and snakes.
Owl
Because they hunt at night, owls have excellent night vision. This allows them to stealthily swoop down on their targets with their sharp talons and deadly precision. They will even prey on venomous snake species, who often have no time to react before it’s too late.
Crow
You may not think of crows as being particularly dangerous to predatory snakes. However, their intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and camaraderie with other crows can make them fierce opponents. Groups of crows have been known to harass and mob snakes, sometimes driving them away from their food and nests.
Cat
Cats may be cute and fuzzy to us, but to snakes, they can be furry little balls of death. Their agility, stealthiness, and sharp claws and teeth allow them to kill several species of snakes, including some venomous ones. As carnivores, they feed on a variety of animals, including birds, rodents, and reptiles.
Goose
How could a goose pose any threat to a rattlesnake? Well, while they don’t typically kill snakes, they can certainly make themselves a big, loud nuisance. These large birds can become surprisingly aggressive toward snakes, honking, flapping, and mobbing them to drive them away from their feeding or nesting spots.
Falcon
Falcons are large, swift, and fast birds of prey capable of taking down several other predatory species. They can use their speed to their advantage, quickly swooping in on snakes to take them by surprise. While they mostly feed on small mammals and birds, they have also been known to prey on venomous snakes.
Hawk
The hawk is yet another proficient bird of prey that rattlesnakes have to watch out for. Their sharp talons, enhanced eyesight, and agility enable them to perform impressive aerial attacks on many species of snakes, including some venomous varieties.
Guineafowl
Guineafowls are quite similar to pheasants and look pretty mild and unassuming on the surface. However, they can become surprisingly aggressive and pack quite a punch. These social birds have been seen joining forces to mob, peck, and scratch snakes, keeping them away from their nests and feeding spots.
Rook
Like other members of the crow family, rooks are intelligent, social birds who won’t hesitate to mob and attack snakes who are getting too close for comfort. Their loud calls and aggressive tendencies can make even the most fearsome snakes think twice about where they’re slithering.
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