Why do snakes eat themselves? It’s a perplexing behavior that captures our attention and sparks our curiosity. In the intricate world of reptiles, this peculiar act raises numerous questions. Snakes, with their sleek bodies and remarkable adaptations, have long fascinated and mystified us. But when faced with the bewildering phenomenon of self-cannibalism, we find ourselves seeking answers. What drives these mesmerizing creatures to engage in such an unusual behavior? Join us as we embark on a journey into the depths of snake behavior, exploring the intricate complexities of their instincts, survival mechanisms, and the possible reasons behind this puzzling act. Prepare to uncover the secrets of snake self-consumption and gain a deeper understanding of their intriguing world.
Snake lifestyles
A snake’s body shape is distinctive, retaining the ability to climb and walk without limbs. Their muscular structure and step patterns combine to provide grip, allowing them to navigate trees in search of their next meal.
Snakes are ectothermic or cold-blooded, meaning they regulate their body temperature externally. Unlike humans, who burn calories to stay warm regardless of the external environment, snakes need to constantly seek warmth to check their system. Without heat, they become hypothermic, and in an extreme or sustained drop in temperature they can even die.
Diet-wise, snakes are predators and will ingest any prey, from birds to small mammals. They will occasionally hunt a smaller snake, although this is unlikely if there are other options available.
Learn more: Do all snakes have fangs?
Unusual habits
The sight of a snake caught in a loop, seemingly disoriented and unhealthy, is terrifying, especially when it’s a pet snake that you struggle to balance.
So why do snakes try to eat themselves? While experts aren’t exactly sure, there are a few theories.
One is that they have difficulty thermoregulating or controlling their body temperature. If the snake’s metabolism drops too low, its body will trigger a survival response to eat. The snake becomes confused and begins digesting its tail (the first thing it sees) as a means of grasping the right heat balance.
Another theory is simply that the snake becomes confused by an imperfect environment and lacks a means to release stress. A problem specifically relevant to exotic reptiles, transported out of their natural habitat and into an artificial living space.
If a snake is hungry and there is no prey nearby to hunt, it may take drastic action to feed itself. This misguided hunger response may also prompt the animal to try eating its own body as a third means of explaining this strange occurrence.
Why do snakes eat themselves?
Although their body design is perfectly suited to their lifestyle and habitat, snakes have some strange habits that leave us perplexed. One of them is their tendency to wrap themselves in a ring and start devouring each other – an action apparently contrary to the animal’s instinct for self-preservation!
Territorial disputes
Snakes are known to be territorial animals, and when two snakes of the same species encounter each other in a confined space, a conflict can arise. In some cases, self-cannibalism may occur as a result of territorial disputes. When a snake feels threatened or stressed by the presence of another snake, it may resort to self-cannibalism as a way to eliminate the perceived threat and establish dominance.
Hunger-induced aggression
Hunger can drive snakes to exhibit aggressive behavior, and in extreme cases, this aggression may be directed towards themselves. If a snake becomes extremely hungry and no suitable prey is available, it may resort to self-cannibalism out of desperation to satisfy its hunger. This behavior is more likely to occur in captive snakes with limited access to food.
Injury or deformity
Snakes that have suffered injuries or have physical deformities may engage in self-cannibalism. These snakes may be unable to capture or consume prey efficiently due to their condition. As a result, they may turn to self-cannibalism as a means of survival, attempting to remove damaged or non-functional body parts.
Inadequate captivity conditions
Self-cannibalism is sometimes observed in captive snakes when they are kept in inadequate or stressful environments. Factors such as overcrowding, improper temperature and humidity levels, and insufficient hiding places can contribute to stress and abnormal behavior. In such cases, self-cannibalism may be a manifestation of the snake’s distress.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal fluctuations can influence snake behavior, including the occurrence of self-cannibalism. During certain phases of the reproductive cycle, such as breeding or nesting, snakes may experience heightened hormone levels, which can impact their feeding behavior. In some instances, this may lead to self-cannibalism as a result of hormonal imbalances.
Imbalance in captivity
Regardless of the reason, the fact is that snakes eating themselves is something we observe the most in captivity than in nature. This makes sense when you consider the possibility that it’s an outlet for stress, as domestic habitats are never as well-adapted as the natural world.
It is possible to keep reptiles as pets, provided they have the right environment and their owner takes excellent care of their needs. However, in general, pets will always be happier in their native space than in a cage or tank inside your home. As a result, they can express something unusual self-sustaining behaviors due to stressors or discomfort.
This Daily Mail article is a good example of this snakes that eat their own tails in captivity
Case Study
Example 1: Snake eating its own tail
There have been documented cases of snakes consuming their own tails in the wild. This behavior is often observed when snakes are faced with extreme food scarcity or environmental stressors. By consuming their own tails, snakes can access the stored energy and nutrients within their bodies to survive during periods of limited food availability. This extreme self-cannibalism demonstrates the remarkable adaptability and resourcefulness of snakes in challenging circumstances.
Example 2: Self-cannibalism in captive snakes
Self-cannibalism has also been observed in captive snakes, particularly when they are kept in suboptimal conditions. Inadequate enclosure size, improper temperature and humidity levels, and lack of mental stimulation can lead to stress and abnormal behaviors in captive snakes. Self-cannibalism may occur as a result of the snake’s distress and attempts to alleviate boredom or meet its nutritional needs in an unnatural environment. These cases highlight the importance of providing suitable captivity conditions to minimize stress and prevent self-cannibalism.
Study findings
Research conducted on self-cannibalism in snakes has provided valuable insights into this behavior. Studies have shown that self-cannibalism can occur across different snake species, although its prevalence varies. Factors such as food availability, stress levels, and reproductive state play significant roles in the occurrence of self-cannibalism. By examining the physiological and behavioral responses of snakes engaging in self-cannibalism, scientists aim to better understand the underlying mechanisms and triggers for this behavior.
Read more: Do snakes come out at night?
Artistic inspiration
The eerie sight of a snake clinging to its tail has captivated humans with its strangeness almost since we have been aware of snakes themselves. Ancient Egyptian and Greek cultures even produced a symbol for it: Ouroboros, or the self-eating reptile. The basic representation features a snake (or sometimes a dragon or other reptile) coiled around itself in a ring, usually with its mouth attached to its tail as it attempts to engulf its own body.
The ouroboros appears in the works of Marcel Duchamp, MC Escher and Yayoi Kusama. Sometimes it appears more as a shape or concept than an animal with recognizable characteristics, but the origin is that of the body and tail of a snake.
Life and death
Do snakes die when eaten? Of course, an organism that consumes its own body will experience some detrimental health effects, and snakes are no exception. Soon after it begins nibbling on its tail (which it mistakenly sees as prey), the snake will go into shock and quickly succumb to its wounds.
A snake that has started eating its own tail is unlikely to survive. To try and save it after the process has started, you can lure the snake away from its own body with a rat or other treat. However, this is not a guarantee that you will save him from his death.
Avoid danger
To make sure a snake doesn’t eat itself, always make sure its habitat is at the ideal temperature and humidity. Look up the requirements for your particular breed of snake, for example which heat lamp is best and what temperature he prefers in his tank.
Provide an array of rocks, straw, peat, or other materials conducive to its natural environment. A snake with a varied landscape has a better chance of being able to thermoregulate so as not to resort to stress mechanisms.
In addition to temperature and surroundings, a snake should have a regular feeding and watering cycle to adjust to. This will help regulate his system and schedule, avoiding a hunger cue that might cause him to try to swallow his tail.
Final thoughts: why do snakes eat themselves?
In conclusion, the intriguing question of why snakes eat themselves has taken us on a thrilling adventure through the mysterious realm of serpents. While this behavior may seem perplexing and even disturbing to us, it sheds light on the complex nature of snake biology and instincts. Although there isn’t a single definitive answer to this enigma, our exploration has revealed several potential explanations, including hunger, stress, and abnormal behavior. To delve deeper into the captivating world of venomous snakes and unravel more of their secrets, we invite you to read more on the Venomous Snake blog. Discover the mesmerizing tales of these fascinating creatures and expand your knowledge of their intriguing behaviors and adaptations.
