Cats have an instinctive fear of snakes that has developed over thousands of years of evolution. This fear likely arose as a survival mechanism, allowing cats to detect potential predators like snakes and avoid them. Though cats are skilled hunters, snakes can still pose a real threat if encountered within the home. A snake’s unusual body shape, unpredictable movements, and ability to deliver painful and toxic bites put cats at risk during close encounters.
In this article, we’ll explore the evolutionary basis for cats’ fear of snakes, and the specific aspects of snakes that trigger their instincts to flee or fight. We’ll also discuss how individual cats can behave differently based on their unique experiences and personalities. Finally, we’ll offer tips for preventing encounters between pet cats and snakes, and safely desensitizing fearful cats.
Evolutionary Explanation
The fear of snakes seen in cats likely has roots in evolutionary history. According to Psychology Today, humans’ fear of snakes is believed to stem from evolution as well, since snakes posed threats to early humans and primates (source). Snakes can strike quickly and deliver venomous bites, so species that avoided snakes were more likely to survive and pass on their genes.
Similarly, the shape and movements of snakes may have registered as dangerous to ancestral felines over the course of evolution. Cats that avoided snake encounters were able to live longer and reproduce, passing an instinctive wariness of snakes down to modern house cats. Though pet cats today face few snake encounters, the inborn aversion remains (source). So when cats see the elongated shape, hear hissing noises, or observe the sudden strikes of snakes, fear reactions kick in automatically as a self-protective response.
Snake Body Shape
Cats tend to perceive snakes as threatening due to their elongated, legless body shape which resembles other predators to cats. Snakes move in a smooth, winding motion without legs which can seem abnormal and unnerving to cats [1]. Since snakes lack the typical body parts and movements cats are accustomed to with other animals, their appearance triggers an instinctual fear response.[2]
The slender, tubular shape of a snake body is reminiscent of other predators like weasels, ferrets, and minks that used to hunt felines in the wild. This evolutionary connection makes the snake’s unique reptilian form alarming and dangerous in the cat’s perspective.
Hissing Sounds
The hiss of a snake is startling and alarming for cats, as it triggers an instinctual fear response (source). When cats hear the hiss of a snake, they perceive it as a warning signal from a dangerous predator. Snakes produce a loud, harsh hissing sound as a defensive behavior to scare away potential threats. This sound mimics the noise made when snakes shake their tail rattles. So when a cat hears hissing, its instincts kick in and it becomes fearful, even if the hiss comes from another cat and not an actual snake.
The hissing sound alerts cats to possible danger and triggers their fight-or-flight response. While some cats may boldly confront the snake, most will choose to flee and hide. The sudden hissing sound triggers a fearful reaction because it indicates the snake is in close proximity and poised to strike. Cats instinctively understand that a hissing snake is prepared to defend itself aggressively. The element of surprise also heightens the cat’s fearful response.
Unpredictable Movement
The unpredictable nature of how snakes move can frighten cats. Snakes slither, crawl, climb, and coil throughout areas in ways that are erratic and hard for cats to anticipate or understand (Quora, 2021). Cats seem alarmed when snakes make sudden darting movements or shift directions rapidly, not knowing where they might go next. The alien and unnatural flow of a snake’s body can create unease and distress in cats who prefer to interact with animals that move in familiar, expected ways.
Unlike the steady walking of mammals, or the flapping of bird wings, snakes move in winding, side-to-side motions without legs or feet. Their ability to flow smoothly across the ground, climb objects, or scrunch their flexible bodies into tight spaces seems strange and threatening. The unusual movement patterns, combined with the lack of limbs, can make snakes appear more mysterious and formidable to cats.
Since cats have prey drive instincts, they tend to react strongly to sudden movements or irregular motions that resemble prey animals trying to flee or evade capture. A snake’s irregular slithering and coiling can trigger those reactions. The unpredictable path snakes take, along with speed changes, can put cats on high alert since they don’t know where the snake will go next or how to track its unusual trajectory. The unnatural and erratic movement of snakes violates cats’ expectations, creating heightened vigilance and fear responses.
Bites and Venom
Snake bites can pose a serious threat to cats due to the potential effects of venom. Venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, copperheads, and coral snakes can inject toxic venom when they bite, which can have severe impacts on a cat’s health and even be fatal if left untreated (1). The venom contains toxins that can cause tissue damage, neurotoxic effects, hemotoxic effects, myotoxic effects, and more depending on the snake species.
According to UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, venom effects may start anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours after the bite occurs (2). Some signs of a venomous bite in cats can include swelling, bruising and bleeding at the wound, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, muscle tremors, respiratory difficulty, collapse, and seizures in severe envenomation. Bites on the face or neck are especially dangerous.
Emergency veterinary care is crucial for cats suffering venomous snake bites to receive medications like antivenin, which can neutralize the snake venom. Pain management, intravenous fluids, and other supportive care may also be necessary to manage symptoms and keep the cat stable. Though bites can be very dangerous, the prognosis for recovery is good if treated quickly.
(1) https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/snake-bites
(2) https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/venomous-snakebites-cats
Individual Behavior
While cats generally tend to fear snakes due to their evolutionary instincts, some individual cats may not exhibit a fear response around snakes. According to the article 17 Facts On Are Cats Afraid Of Snakes? Why, How, When, some cats may be indifferent to snakes if they are raised around them from a young age. Their early experiences diminish an instinctual fear of snakes.
There are examples of some cats coexisting peacefully with pet snakes in a household. The cat may be accustomed to the snake’s presence and scent from a young age and show no fear. According to pet owners’ anecdotes, some cats even playfully bat at and pounce on pet snakes that are not venomous, treating them like toys rather than threats.
Additionally, very docile snake species like ball pythons tend not to elicit as much fear in cats as more active, larger snakes. With proper precautions and supervision, it’s possible for some individual cats to become desensitized to docile snakes in the home environment over time.
Desensitization Training
One method to help desensitize a cat to snakes is through positive association training. This involves using treats, playtime, and affection to create positive feelings when the cat is near the snake (https://www.quora.com/My-cat-recently-met-my-new-pet-snake-and-has-been-ridiculously-paranoid-for-the-past-couple-days-thinking-the-snake-could-be-anywhere-What-can-I-do-to-calm-him-down). Start with keeping the snake in a separate room and letting the cat explore while giving treats. Slowly bring the snake closer while continuing to reward calm behavior. This associates the snake’s presence with good things.
Another technique is desensitization and counterconditioning. This exposes the cat to the snake at a level that doesn’t cause fear, and pairs it with a positive stimulus like food. Gradually decrease distance as the cat remains relaxed (https://anticruelty.org/pet-library/desensitization-and-counterconditioning-fear-cats). With patience, the cat can learn that the snake is not a threat. Consistency is key when desensitizing a cat to a new animal in the home.
Preventing Encounters
There are some ways to help prevent encounters between cats and snakes inside the home. This can help keep both pets safe.
Eliminate places where snakes may hide or feel sheltered. Keep grass cut short, trim bushes and shrubbery, and seal any cracks or holes in the foundation. Stack woodpiles and compost heaps away from the house. Clutter like unused boxes and piles of debris also provide cover for snakes, so keep the yard tidy.
Use products that deter snakes from entering the yard. Sprinkle sulfur powder, mothballs, or commercial snake repellents around the perimeter of the house. DIY solutions like ammonia or vinegar mixed with water can also be sprayed around the foundation.
Block off access points like holes in screens or around pipes where a snake could enter the home. Make sure pet doors are not large enough for a snake to fit through.
Keep pet food and water bowls inside so they don’t attract rodents that snakes prey on. Any rodent populations around the home should be controlled with traps or other methods.
If snakes are commonly seen in the area, keeping cats indoors or supervising time outside can prevent surprise encounters.
Though no deterrent is guaranteed, taking proactive steps can discourage snakes from getting close to the house and interacting with resident cats.
Conclusion
In summary, most cats have an instinctual fear of snakes due to their elongated bodies, unpredictable movements, and ability to bite and inject venom. This fear likely developed evolutionarily as a protective mechanism against a potential predator. However, the degree of fear varies between individual cats based on their personality and prior experiences. With proper training and controlled exposure, some cats can become desensitized and learn to coexist with docile snakes kept as pets. To conclude, the answer to whether cats are afraid of snakes in the house is yes for the most part, but the fear response depends on the individual cat and the situation.
