In this article, we will list eleven animals that are capable of hunting rattlesnakes and eating them, including ones you may not be aware of. Emus are large and strong, but they are not as aggressive or dangerous as ostriches or cassowaries, which are more often associated with aggression and occasional death. Black Mamba Facts | Live Science Their legs are exceptionally powerful, and their kicks can kill a lion instantly. How To Trap Snakes Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake The crested caracara (Polyborus plancus) is a large bird of prey found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. An Emu will rarely attempt to attack a predator with its beak, as its beak is soft and that would leave its soft neck exposed. This is where kingsnakes earn their name- they frequently eat other snakes and have therefore been named king! Actually, a whole bunch of different animal species kill snakes, including a ton of birds - owls, hawks, falcons, herons, etc. In Africa, the Secretary Bird can also hunt snakes, although they are more likely to attack when they disturb the snakes walking through grass, as they do not fly as much as other bird species. Shortly thereafter, news of barred-owl attacks in the Pacific Northwest, combined with a reexamination of the wounds on the victims scalp, face, and wrists, prompted the defendants attorneys to suggest that a barred owl was to blame for the victims death. An emus diet consists primarily of plant material. . For example, a man at the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary in Oakhurst was injured by an emu spooked by the noise of a nearby train. Owls are predators and as such, they do consume other animals, including reptiles like snakes. Cash noted that the blow struck him in the stomach, and if it werent for a strong belt buckle, he said that the ostrichs toe claw would have cut his abdomen open and killed him. Emu society is generally peaceful, with only minor altercations reported among female emus as they compete for a male mating partner. Its often said that, despite all of Australias dangerous and, at times, terrifying wildlife, youre still more likely to die from falling off a horse than being killed by any animal! These mongooses hunt and kill these snakes in their natural habitat, eating them all the way to the venom sacs. The bird is typically found in open woodlands, thickets, brushy edges of forests, and suburbs with trees. Facts About Brown Snakes | Live Science The amazing science behind fatal snake bites - BBC News An Emus most powerful weapon is its kick, not its bite. Cassowaries are considerably more dangerous than Emus and definitely have killed humans. There are very few animals capable of escaping a bobcat, and rattlesnakes are not one of them. Theyll grab the snake with their talons then use their powerful beak to tear off chunks of flesh until its dead. As you can see, there are many animals out there that have a good grasp of what it means to kill a snake. Do you have a question on this topic that we havent answered yet? The bite of an Eastern brown snake can kill a person but because of their short fangs, they do not often bite humans. There have been a few instances where golden eagles have been seen feeding on snakes, but it is not a common occurrence. A similar swooping attack occurred in Salem, Oregon, in 2015 when a great horned owl repeatedly struck the scalp of a jogger, who ran and later escaped. A roadrunners long, slender beak is perfect for eating venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes and copperheads. Ducks are well known for their distinctive call and quack.Ducks are omnivores, meaning they can eat both plants and animals. It is not commonly known that they will also eat snakes, specifically garter snakes. Geese will feed on the occasional snake if one happens to be near their nesting area, however, there has never been a case where geese were observed hunting for snakes specifically to consume them. Still, its best to back off slowly and keep quiet. Domesticated Animals Like most animals, Emus are most likely to be aggressive when provoked or startled. When they spot a snake, they will swoop down and grab it with their powerful talons. Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with mostly white plumage and black wings. In the wild, hawks will not typically attack a snake unless it is easy to capture or in the process of being eaten by another animal. Heres what you need to worry about! Attacks by barred owls on hikers have been reported from Texas to British Columbia. Snake Kills Bigger Snakes With World's Most Powerful Squeeze Mankind has chosen to live in rural areas and must accept the occasional encroachment of nature from time to time. (Image: Getty). The largest living birds, adult males may be 2.75 meters (about 9 feet) tallalmost half of that height being in the neckand weigh more than 150 kilograms (330 pounds). These birds often reach lengths of more than 1 meter (40 inches), with a wingspread of nearly 3 meters (10 feet). Did you know that turkeys are just another animal that hunts rattlesnakes? Cassowaries are pretty aggressive birds, when compared to Ostriches and Emus. The mainstay of their diet is Acacia, Casuarina and grasses of various kinds, as well as insects like crickets, cockroaches and ants. Falling off a horse is the most probable animal-related death in Australia. This tiny cephalopod was born to work from home. Did you know that wild turkeys will eat snakes? If you see a dead snake on the ground, it's likely that a hungry vulture will pick up the scent of fresh meat and fly down to snatch it up for an easy meal. Nevertheless, Emu attacks do occur and are likelier when the bird is startled, surprised, or provoked. Theyre inquisitive and curious and often follow humans around, observing them from a safe distance. Snakebite Aftercare The long-legged, majestic crane is known for its graceful flight and dainty dance on the ground. Reports of emu attacks resulting in a range of injuries in Australia and in wild-animal parks, emu farms, and zoos across the world are not uncommon, with more than 100 occurring in 2009 alone. How to Get Rid of Snakes - The Home Depot If availability was related to the actual frequency of occurrence of the event then we would be well-calibrated that is, our judgments of the probability of an event would coincide with their actual probability, says John. For example, a man at the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary at Oakhurst was injured by an Emu that was startled by nearby train noise. While the Plott hound is the state dog of North Carolina, it is a very rare breed and not well-known in other states. They are found in the savanna of Africa and spend most of their time searching for poisonous snakes like cobras, puff adders, mambas, and many more. This breed was created for the purpose of hunting rodents and snakes, something that is now instinctually ingrained into its behavior. There was the Great Emu War in 1932, when Australia declared war on emus in Western Australia and tried to eliminate them from the environment by shooting them. Despite owls being a primarily nocturnal species, they frequently take down snakes. Although Aeschylus did die at Gela, experts believe that the story describing the strange cause of his death was fabricated by a later comic writer. Have some feedback for us? Roadrunners have been seen to attack, kill and even eat rattlesnakes, but no biologist has ever seen one build a corral about a rattlesnake, and until such confirmation is available this amusing notion cannot be accepted.