Do Ducks Eat Snakes? Yes, But Risks Included!
We are scared of venomous reptiles or snakes whenever we see them. But when ducks confront serpents, braver than humans, they try to hunt them!
But do ducks eat snakes? Yes, in the wild, ducks will swallow snakes whether it’s venomous or non-venomous. Although snakes have toxicity, in particular, Mallards, Indian Runners, and Muscovites hunt snakes the most. Ducks have adapted digestion and better immunity that comforts their predatorial behavior on snakes.
But the internet feeds us a variety of knowledge that makes us puzzled. Therefore, this article will clarify what your mind looks for based on ducks and snakes in the wild.
Table of Contents
Do Ducks Eat Snakes? Surprising Facts About Hunting!
Certainly, ducks act like predators when they confront snakes in ponds or wetlands. In general, ducks don’t like to eat such creatures; rather they target serpents occasionally. However, the surprising fact is even the chickens do the same when they see small snakes in the yard.
Snakes are not a primary source for ducks, so you may see them crossing snakes without reacting sometimes. Actually, the thing is, due to ducks’ natural habit of foraging, they grab snakes when they come across. However, more surprising facts are coming for you!
Do All Duck Breed Hunt Snakes? Check The List!
Almost all duck breeds can hunt small snakes, but some of them have expertise in it. Ducks are prey for small snakes like garter, corn, or copperheads since larger ones are dangerous for such birds.
Particularly, the North American duck’s prey size will clarify some more facts. Now, let’s see which breeds chase snakes more!
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
- Muscovy (Cairina moschata)
- Wood (Aix sponsa)
- Indian Runner (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
- Mandarin (Aix galericulata)
- Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
- Steamer (Tachyeres patachonicus).
However, you may take a look at the video on how ducks eat snakes.
Ducks Catching Snakes: Do Ducks Attract Snakes?
To tell the truth, ducks dislike seeing snakes in ponds, wetlands, or other water bodies. What actually happens is ducks quacking, or noise attracts the snakes or other creatures. This is what makes the creature get into the duck’s trap!
But the ducks’ habits and nature as predators push them to kill snakes without hesitation.
Swimming In Ponds: Can Ducks Eat Water Snakes?
Although they have cold-bloodedness in birds like ducks, they can even eat venomous Northern water snakes. But they only eat serpents when they come across rather than making it their regular food source. In reality, while confronting snakes, ducks show defensive behavior.
Now let us tell you a surprising fact from online. We found that the audience oftentimes asked, Can water snakes eat ducks?” Totally reverse idea, right?
But adult water snakes, especially the Northern ones, can eat entire duck eggs or ducklings. It’s actually about confronting each other where baby ducks are not safe here!
The fact is water snakes have the same behavior as ducks, such as being an opportunist. Where snakes are cold-blooded, similar to ducks or chickens!
Do Ducks Eat Kingsnake? Conflict!
Surely, ducks will instantly swallow kingsnakes to save themselves from getting attacked. Although the species is not aggressive or venomous, ducks won’t face any trouble while eating the creature.
Here, the fact is when such serpents get threatened, they bite the surroundings! Now, you may ask, Can kingsnakes eat ducks?
Definitely, they’ll kill young ducks and eat them slowly. The reason is generally, California kingsnakes prey on eggs or mammals, whereas ducks may be on the list.
Reptile Eggs In The Front: Do Ducks Eat Snake Eggs?
Yes, while noticing snake nests, ducks will eat them as a part of their food source. As an opportunist and during the foraging time, ducks not only eat snake eggs, they usually look for things like:
- Aquatic plants
- Seeds
- Small Vertebrates
- Small Invertebrates
- Insects.
Now, the same case is found if you look for whether snakes eat duck eggs or not. Some snake species that grow up to 7 ft are much more likely to eat duck eggs.
Can Baby Ducks Eat Snakes? Be Careful!
No, baby ducks or ducklings are not predators of snakes. They rely on their mother’s protection from such serpent creatures.
When snakes find baby ducks, they attack them; particularly, the large ones try to swallow young ducks. If you see the video, you’ll be cleared! It’s a video of python hunting ducklings.
What Snake Species Eat Ducks? Matter To be Concerned!
Except for the small snakes, ducks are always in danger but not a loser who will die eventually. Ducks have wildness, too! So, only the larger snakes can catch the whole duck and swallow slowly.
However, the ducks get eaten by snake species such as:
- Northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon)
- King Snakes (Lampropeltis)
- Reticulated Pythons (Malayopython reticulatus)
- Rat Snakes (Pantherophis obsoletus).
Can Ducks Eating Snakes Impact On Environment?
I found certain changes in ecological balance but not noteworthy. You’ll see there are so many predators out there except for ducks only. So, the duck’s role is small here.
What actually happens is ducks and snakes contribute to resolving the pest problem. But yes, ducks greatly contribute to the environment, not by eating snakes but by consuming plants, insects, and aquatic creatures. It ensures the ecosystem is running in balance.
Ducks Eating Snakes: What Are The Benefits Here?
When going through extensive research, I find protein is there. And ducks need protein for their breeding and nesting time! So, snakes can be a part of their protein-rich food source.
Whether in wetlands or ponds, ducks are birds of prey, so they’ll eat for such nature. However, a little contribution we said is balancing the ecosystem. Ducks play the same role by eating mice or other small creatures in the wild.
What Are The Potential Risks Of Eating Snakes?
When talking about the potential risks of eating snakes by ducks, it reminds me snakes are predators, too! In fact, they are cold-blooded venomous snakes that can be more dangerous and spread toxins. What we found is saliva that contains zootoxins.
So, while encountering ducks or other predators, snakes use the poison for defense, or maybe swallowing snakes may kill the duck. We cannot even overlook snakes’ sharp teeth. When ducks eat them, teeth make ducks’ digestion problematic. So, keep the ducks, particularly the backyard or domestic ones, away from snakes.
Do Ducks Keep Snakes Away?
No, ducks cannot keep snakes away. But when they encounter each other, both may be frightened if any one of them acts like a hunter. Ducks and snakes both are predators, but they don’t actively hunt each other. Basically, it’s about ducks foraging behavior and wildness for food!
However, a true fact is ducks usually attack small snakes but not large ones like anacondas or pythons. So, it’s your duty to keep snakes away from the ducks, whether it’s domestic or wild.
Backyard Friend Safety: How To Protect Ducks From Snakes?
As you’re frightened of snakes attacking the ducks, I have some good ideas to generate. Or maybe ducks, for their omnivore and wildness, may eat the venomous snake. Here, ducks may get ill or even die!
Don’t worry! Check how you can save your ducks and their eggs from such creatures. Forget about their protein intake from snakes! You have plenty of food sources to offer!
- Placing Nest: Let the duck’s nest stay in an elevated or floating place where the snakes cannot access.
- Clearing Some Vegetation: Snakes usually look for hiding places where dense vegetation should be cleared. Ducks usually stay there! Also, clean the tall grass, rock, and wood piles or debris in the yard.
- Deterrents Can Help: Keep the snakes away by installing visual or audio deterrents near the duck’s house. I prefer ultrasonic devices; reflective tape or scarecrows will work well.
- Barriers: You can attach wire barriers or mesh to block the snake from coming near the duck.
- Scatter mothballs: Snakes hate the smell of mothballs. So, you can scatter mothballs around your duck’s habitat.
- Use Ammonia: You may not know ammonia works like a repellent for snakes.
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FAQs
Check the Q&A section. You can gather some other information based on the ducks and snakes’ conflict in nature and more clarification about do ducks eat snakes or not.
Q. Is Domesticated Ducks Safe To Hunt Snakes?
Domesticated ducks are not meant to hunt snakes. But if it’s a purpose to keep the pond or wetland environment in control, leave things to work naturally. Ducks do naturally eat snakes when forage.
Q. Can Ducks Coexist With Snakes In Nature?
Sure, ducks can coexist with snakes while staying in nature. But due to their natural habitats, they eat each other if they get the chance.
Final Words
So, do ducks eat snakes? Yes, ducks do eat snakes. Overall, it’s a conflicting idea about ducks and snakes. But we hope you got a clear idea of whether ducks eat snakes or not. Definitely, ducks swallow snakes, but some snakes do the same to ducks. Brutal!
In the wild, ducks, and snakes both are predators. But it’s not about ducklings. Babies need protection! And it’s clear that ducks only get protein intake but with higher risks of toxicity or poison. So, keep them away by following the ideas we identified.
Sources And References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9237358/
- https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/z84-293
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/nonpwdpubs/young_naturalist/animals/warm_and_cold_blooded_animals/
- https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/understanding-waterfowl-balanced-diets
