If you have ophidiophobia as I do, you’ll go to about any measure to never cross paths with a snake. So if you’re out in the desert or anywhere sandy, you may wonder, do snakes like sand, or do they prefer to make their home somewhere in the trees or nearby woods?
Let’s face it, we’ve all seen the movies of snakes lurking in the sand, camouflaging themselves, ready to strike their prey or anyone in the way. But is this really true?
What is a Snake
Snakes are reptiles in the same groups as lizards, turtles, frogs, and crocodiles. They are of the suborder Serpentes. What sets them apart from other reptiles is their limbs – or lack of them. They don’t have legs or arms. Instead, they rely on slithering from place to place, reliant on the friction of the sand or dirt to move. If you watch them on a smooth surface, they struggle for the lack of something to grab onto.
Unlike most animals, a snake’s skin does not grow with it. Instead, they shed their skin as they grow, usually several times per year. During the process, the snake will slow down and become agitated, so It’s not a good time to come in contact with it. The process takes one to two weeks, and the snake will not hunt. Upon completion will leave its tubelike skin behind.
There are a few other reptiles that also shed their skin, such as lizards, but you won’t find those lying around because lizards don’t shed their skin all at once, but little by little and not wanting to let predators know where they are – the eat their shed.
Like many reptiles, snakes come in various sizes and colors, from small garter snakes up to enormous pythons – all with their own unique characteristics and behaviors. Snakes have long been an important part of our culture, often appearing as symbols of wisdom or power in mythology, literature, art, and popular media.
Types Of Snakes
There are over 3,000 species of snakes worldwide, and they come in all shapes and sizes. From tiny blind snakes to massive pythons and anacondas.
With all the prey snakes have, humans are not one. Only about 25% possess venomous fangs capable of inflicting serious harm to humans – though it’s best to always stay clear from them just in case! With all the hype snakes have for being dangerous, the reality is Wikipedia estimates that there are only 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snake bites each year with only 5 deaths.
Habitats
Snakes can be found living in many environments, including deserts, forests, wetlands, grasslands, and even in urban areas. Some live near bodies of water, while others prefer high altitudes or underground burrows. Each habitat has its own unique set of conditions that determine what kind of snake lives there. For example, some desert-dwelling snakes have adapted to survive without drinking any water at all!
Snakes found in other climates—such as tropical jungles—will often take shelter among trees or large rocks where temperatures remain more regulated throughout the day.
No matter what type of habitat a snake calls home, there’s no denying that these animals make excellent use of their surroundings and have evolved to thrive just about anywhere on Earth!
Sand
There are many reasons why snakes call sand home. First, the texture of the sand provides a gentle abrasion that helps remove old layers as they grow in size. It also has natural antibacterial properties that help protect snakes from potential infections or other health issues. In short, the sand keeps them healthy.
When it comes to desert terrain, snakes love sand! It provides protection from the heat and serves as a blanket at night. Most species that inhabit sandy areas are adept at burrowing underneath the surface as they seek out prey or hide from predators. Sand also causes friction making it easy for snakes to slither around.
Prey Preferences Of Snakes
Snakes are carnivores, but their taste varies. Some eat mainly mice, rats, and bird eggs, others opt for reptiles like lizards and frogs, while others are happily helping with unwanted insects such as mosquitoes. Snakes are great swimmers, and some, such as cottonmouths and garters, will even eat fish, so if you’re looking to add a koi pond, you may want to keep an eye out.
Smaller snakes
- Eat insects, spiders, centipedes, earthworms, and other small invertebrates such as slugs and snails.
- Welcome meals like mice, rats, voles, shrews, and bird eggs, in addition to smaller amphibians and reptiles.
- Even occasionally dine on larger frogs or lizards.
Medium-sized snakes
- Consume rodents, including mice, hamsters, gerbils, and rabbits.
- Enjoy consuming bird eggs from nests when available.
- Will eat almost any type of reptile or amphibian they can overpower with their strength alone.
Larger snakes
- Often feed on large rodents like beavers or muskrats but will attack deer fawns if given an opportunity.
- Prefer to hunt fish by waiting motionlessly near the water’s edge until prey passes within striking distance, then quickly attacking it with powerful jaws filled with sharp teeth.
- Are not above scavenging dead animals either, which makes them invaluable cleanup crew members in some ecosystems!
It’s clear that no matter its size or species, each snake has specific foods it prefers, but whatever they eat, they prefer them alive. A snake will swallow its prey, killing the animal by lack of oxygen and its digestive juices within minutes but taking up to 3 to 5 days to fully digest its meal.
Maternal Behavior In Snakes
Snakes have a unique way of parenting. Female snakes often lay eggs in the same spot each mating season and remain with them until they hatch. She coils protectively around them, keeping them warm and safe from predators.
Once the snake eggs hatch, most are left on their own to survive. Some Rattlesnakes and the African python do watch over their young for a few weeks, but this is an exception. All in all, snakes don’t make the best mothers, mostly leaving them to their defensive as soon as they hatch.
Conclusion
Snakes have somewhat of a bad reputation when in fact, only 25% have venom and account for only a handful of deaths each year. They’ve adapted to jungles, deserts, and even urban life. They’re nonsocial reptiles and don’t even keep their offspring around.
There’s no denying snakes have a scare factor, and it’s best not to run into them intentionally. So if you’re hiking or even working in the backyard and notice a slither mark in the sand and wonder – Could a snake be there? Do snakes like sand? – the answer is yes.
Sand provides snakes warmth in cool temperatures and keeps them covered during hot weather. It provides shelter from predators and a hiding place to strike prey. Sand is also benefits them by moving around freely and easily and even helps them shed skin. For all of these reasons combined, sand is a natural habitat for snakes, and it’s best to proceed with caution. If you believe you have a snake and are looking for a way to get rid of it, click here.