Ferrets are cute small carnivores. In the wild, they are predators to certain animals. You’ll be shocked to know that these cute animals are predators to animals as vicious as snakes. But, Do ferrets eat snakes?
Ferrets can eat snakes. Polecats are carnivores, and they feed on animals such as rodents, birds, and snakes. Snakes are prey animals to ferrets. It’s their natural instinct to hunt snakes and eat them. Wild ferrets kill snakes for fun and sometimes, to eat them. However, the domesticated ones may kill them out of instinct without the intention of eating them. That’s because they see snakes as a threat to their territory and would attack one when they see it. So, if you own a ferret and a snake as pets, it’s best to keep them apart and don’t treat them as “playmates”.
Polecats are carnivores, and they feed on animals such as rodents, birds, and snakes. It’s their natural instinct to hunt snakes and eat them. Wild ferrets kill snakes for fun and sometimes, to eat them. However, the domesticated ones may kill them out of instinct without the intention of eating them. That’s because they see snakes as a threat to their territory and would attack one when they see it.
Further Reading: “Can Ferrets Eat Raw Chicken?“
Table of Contents
Can Ferrets Kill Snakes?
Polecats are considerably small pets and have majorly their teeth as a form of defense. Ferrets can kill snakes. Domesticated or wild Ferrets and snakes don’t get along. To polecats, snakes are prey animals. The three main reasons why ferrets kill snakes are; for fun, to protect their territory, and as food. However, in most cases, the ferret will do it as protecting its nest and not for food.
The instinct of polecats is to kill a snake as soon as they see one. As soon as a ferret sights a snake, it follows the snake, treading quietly and keeping out of sight. As soon as it has an advantage, it would usually attack the snake from behind. Polecats usually keep attacking with their teeth until the snake dies completely. Snakes would usually strike back to defend themselves and if the snake is poisonous it can be fatal to the ferret. If the snake is big enough it can also be that the ferret will serve as a meal to the snake.
If you own a ferret and a snake as pets, it’s best to keep them apart and don’t treat them as “playmates”.
Further Reading: “Can Ferrets Eat Bananas?“
Can A Snake Kill A Ferret?
Yes, snakes can kill ferrets. All it takes is one bite from a venomous snake. Mostly, a ferret attacks first, and the snake defends by striking. If the snake successfully bites your pet, the venom will probably kill your ferret, especially if it is unattended to by a veterinarian.
But does this mean ferrets will always die from snake bites? No. According to the VetWest Animal Hospitals, 80 percent of animals who are victims of snakebite survive if treated immediately. So, it is essential to take your pet to a vet immediately if your snake bites your pet. With proper medical care, your pet should recuperate in a day or two.
Some signs of snake bites are bleeding, excessive panting, restlessness, diarrhea, drooling, shock, fatigue, vomiting, seizures, and in severe cases, it will cause death. However, a bite from a non-venomous snake will not kill a ferret. If a snake is big enough, an anaconda, for example, the green anaconda is the largest snake and one of the largest reptiles in the world. it will not bite but will conveniently kill a ferret by suffocating it through squeezing and swallow it after.
A poisonous snake bite can be fatal for your ferret. it is essential to take your pet to a vet immediately if your snake bites your pet. With proper medical care, your pet should recuperate in a day or two.
Further Reading: “Why Does My Ferret Shake?“
Do Ferrets Attract Snakes?
Although there’s a popular belief that ferrets attract snakes, they don’t. They only attack them whenever they see one. Like cats and rats, there’s a natural enmity between these two animals. And there are usually seasons when snakes are more rampant. For instance, in the Us, snakes are more rampant in autumn. So, if your ferret kills more snakes during their season, it’s not because she attracted the snake. It is so because there’s an upsurge in the snake population.
Further Reading: “How To Tell If Your Ferret Is Scared?“
Related Questions
Do Ferrets Eat Gophers?
Yes, ferrets eat gophers. Gophers are rodents who majorly live in burrows and tunnels and are commonly found in central and Noth America. In the wild, polecats usually feed on rodents like gophers. So, they usually hunt, kill and eat them. Polecats go as far as digging into the burrows to hunt them.
Some farmers use ferrets as a natural predator to control an infestation by these rodents. So, if you live in an area infested with gophers and you own a ferret, don’t be surprised if you see her kill a gopher one day. In fact, you can use your pet to control an infestation by these animals around your home.
Further Reading: “Do Ferrets Blink?“
Are Ferrets Aggressive?
Ferrets are playful pets but are oftentimes considered aggressive animals. It’s a fallacy to generalize that polecats are aggressive animals. The domesticated ones are usually very playful and friendly. They sometimes bite and many consider this as an act of aggression. But it isn’t. Most times, polecats bite when they are in their paly mood. You’d usually know this when your pet dooks. However, if you don’t like this behavior in your pet you can correct it, by training him.
But sometimes, ferrets may exhibit aggression, especially when they are afraid or in pain. So, you might notice that your pet is hostile to visitors and strangers. When your pet is in its hostile mood, you might notice that she barks or hisses too.
Further Reading: “How Often Do Ferrets Poop?“
Final Thoughts
Ferrets can kill snakes and eat them. So, if you have a snake as a pet, never keep your ferrets and your snake pets together. A domesticated ferret will attack the snake it sights and kills. However, your pet may not eat the snake if she’s not used to eating raw meat and usually will attack the snake only because he sees it as “keeping his territory”.
However, your pet ferret can also die from a snake bite. If your ferret gets bitten by a venomous snake, consult the vet immediately. Other animals polecats can eat are rats, mice, gophers, and birds. So, if you have a pet rat or bird, you should also keep them away from your ferret.
