Cats and snakes have shared an adversarial relationship for millennia. Though house cats no longer need to hunt snakes for survival, they still exhibit an instinctive wariness and fear when encountering serpents. This is because snakes pose a potential threat that cats are evolutionarily programmed to avoid. From their senses to their body language, cats display an innate caution around snakes that reveals an ancestral past of hunting and evading these slithering reptiles. While there are exceptions, most cats will keep their distance and avoid snakes if given the opportunity.
Evolutionary Origins
Cats and snakes have a long shared evolutionary history going back millions of years. Cats evolved as nimble predators capable of hunting and killing snakes. There is evidence that the earliest cats emerged around 35 million years ago during the Oligocene Epoch when snakes were already widespread (1). These ancestral cats like Proailurus developed key physical and behavioral adaptations that enabled them to thrive as effective snake hunters. Their evolutionary pathways became intertwined, with cats evolving traits to target snakes, and snakes evolving defenses against cat predators.
Over countless generations, cats became hardwired through evolution to detect snakes efficiently and react with swift defensive behaviors. Their evolutionary origins shaped complex instincts that drive fear and aggression toward their historic snake prey (2). Even domestic cats retain these ingrained responses despite snakes not being a part of their immediate environment or diet. The evolutionary legacy linking cats and snakes continues to influence their interactions and perceptions of each other.
Sources:
(1) https://www.litter-robot.com/blog/why-do-cats-hiss-cats-and-snakes/
(2) https://www.quora.com/Did-cats-evolve-from-snakes-The-eyes-the-hiss-the-twitching-of-the-tail-the-shape-of-the-mouth-and-the-fangs-all-remind-me-of-a-snake
Hunting Instincts
Cats are natural hunters with quick reflexes that allow them to avoid snake bites. Their predatory instincts developed as a survival mechanism in the wild, where they had to hunt small prey like mice, birds, and snakes to survive (Source). Even domesticated house cats retain these instincts and will readily hunt snakes and other small animals when given the opportunity.
A cat’s hunting sequence involves locating, stalking, pouncing, killing, and consuming its prey (Source). Their quick reflexes and agility give them an advantage in avoiding snake strikes as they go through these hunting motions. Unlike some predators, cats are able to leap away rapidly after an unsuccessful pounce, rather than having to withdraw their heads slowly from a strike. This helps minimize their risk of being bitten by a defensive snake.
While cats may not target snakes as preferred prey, they will opportunistically hunt any snakes that cross their path. Their keen senses, stealthy stalking skills, and rapid reflexes make cats well-equipped as snake hunters.
Senses and Detection
Cats have several sharp senses that allow them to detect snakes even when the reptiles are well hidden. A cat’s sight, hearing and sense of smell are all very attuned to identifying threats from snakes.
Visually, cats can easily spot the distinctive shape and movement of snakes, even in low light conditions. Their eyes are designed to detect the slightest motion which helps warn them of lurking snakes. Cats also have an extra inner eyelid that protects their vision against venom if bitten on the head.[1]
Cats can hear snakes moving through leaves and grass from far away thanks to their sensitive ears and ability to rotate them independently. Their advanced hearing picks up the faint hissing and rattling sounds that snakes make.[2]
A cat’s powerful sense of smell allows it to detect snakes even if they are hidden from sight and sound. They can smell the distinctive musky, reptile scent of snakes and associate it with danger.
With these sharp senses working together, cats are well equipped to identify threats from snakes and avoid encounters with them.
Body Language
Cats use body language to communicate caution and wariness around snakes. When a cat encounters a snake, it will often arch its back to appear larger and more intimidating. The cat may also puff up its fur to look bigger. These postures indicate that the cat feels threatened and is trying to scare off the snake. Its ears will flatten back against the head and the tail will swell up and twitch. These are all defensive responses aimed at making the cat look less like prey to the snake.
Cats may also slowly move backwards or sideways while facing the snake, keeping their eyes fixed on it. This allows them to watch the snake’s movements while putting more distance between them. The cat’s muscles will be tense, and it may be crouched low to the ground, ready to quickly flee if the snake strikes. These postures communicate the cat’s fear and instinct to avoid confrontation with snakes.
Overall, a cat’s guarded body language reflects an innate wariness of snakes and desire to avoid danger. The arched back, puffed fur, flattened ears, and sideways retreat all signal the cat’s caution and unease when encountering these reptilian creatures (1).
Vocalizations
Cats will often make distinct vocalizations when they encounter snakes, as a way to communicate danger or distress. According to an article from Business Insider, cats can hiss, growl or yowl when they see a snake1. The hiss is an obvious defensive sound meant to scare away the threat. Growling demonstrates annoyance, fear or aggression. Yowling or howling is a loud cry that alerts others to trouble and indicates the cat is unhappy. These vocalizations all send a clear message to snakes to stay away. Cats instinctively understand the threat posed by snakes, so they use sounds to establish boundaries and deter potential attacks. Their hisses, growls and yowls in response to snakes all stem from natural defense mechanisms hardwired into cats over time.
Avoidance
Cats have an innate sense to avoid areas where they detect snakes. Their superior sense of smell allows them to detect snake scent and steer clear of danger. According to greer’s pet blog, the notion that cats naturally avoid snakes is not entirely true. However, cats do tend to be cautious and avoid areas with strange scents, including the scent of snakes.
A cat’s instinct for self-preservation means they will generally avoid potential threats when possible. But caution should still be exercised in areas where venomous snakes may be present.
Exceptions
While most cats exhibit an innate fear of snakes, some individual cats may show less fear and even curiosity towards snakes.
Kittens who are exposed to harmless snakes like garter snakes early in life may become habituated and show less fear as adults. According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Katherine Houpt, kittens that are socialized with snakes when young react less fearfully later in life.1
Some breeds like the Egyptian Mau may also exhibit less fear of snakes due to their early domestication in snake-infested regions of Egypt. Their ancestors likely had to hunt venomous snakes to survive, selecting for cats with lower innate snake avoidance.2
While less common, individual differences in personality and experiences can result in some cats showing more curiosity, stoicism, or even predatory interest towards snakes compared to the average cat.
Dangers
Snakes can be very dangerous for cats if bitten. While not all snakes are venomous, some species like rattlesnakes can inject a potentially lethal dose of venom when they bite (https://blog.catbandit.com/my-cat-ate-a-ringneck-snake-is-it-safe-or-dangerous/). Snake venom contains a cocktail of toxins that can rapidly cause tissue damage, hemorrhage, paralysis and alter blood pressure and clotting. This can quickly lead to shock and death if left untreated.
According to vets, signs of a venomous snake bite in cats include sudden weakness and collapse, dilated pupils, swelling around the eyes and face, bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting, paralysis and seizures (https://www.hyaenidae.org/rattlesnake-bites-in-cats-what-to-do-if-your-feline-friend-is-bitten/). Immediate veterinary attention is required as antivenom, IV fluids, blood transfusions and other intensive supportive care may be necessary.
While not all encounters with snakes end in injury, cats should generally be discouraged from interacting with snakes to avoid potentially fatal bites. Supervision, securing the yard, and deterrents can help keep cats separated from areas frequented by venomous snakes.
Conclusion
In summary, while cats are not innately afraid of snakes like they are of cucumbers, most cats will exhibit wariness around snakes due to a combination of evolution and instinct.
Cats descend from desert-dwelling wildcats that evolved alongside venomous snakes, making them attuned to identifying snake shapes and movement patterns. Their keen senses, especially sight, sound, and smell, help cats detect potential snake threats.
Though some cats will attack snakes, most opt to avoid them. Cats use body language like arched backs, bristled fur, hissing, and growling to signal their discomfort. Their avoidance isn’t a phobia, but an instinctual response to potential danger.
There are exceptions, like if a cat is trained to be comfortable with snakes from kittenhood. But in general, cats regard snakes with caution and keep their distance. This wariness helps cats survive alongside snakes in the wild.