Tiger snakes eat mostly frogs, plus lizards, small mammals, birds, fish and sometimes carrion. They are venomous Australian snakes, and their diet shifts with what is available where they live, often near wetlands, creeks and farm dams.
What tiger snakes eat
- Frogs: a staple, especially near water.
- Small mammals: mice, rats and other rodents, which is why tiger snakes show up around sheds and farms.
- Lizards, birds and fish: taken when they are easy to catch.
- Other snakes and carrion: occasionally eaten.
Young snakes tend to eat smaller prey such as frogs and lizards, then move on to larger prey as they grow.
How they hunt
Tiger snakes are active in warm weather, often in the daytime in cooler months and at dusk or night in summer heat. They are strong swimmers and can hunt in or beside water. They kill prey with venom, then swallow it whole.
Where they live
Tiger snakes are found across southern and eastern Australia, including Tasmania, usually near water and dense cover. They bear live young, often a dozen or more in a litter.
Staying safe
Tiger snakes are dangerously venomous. If one is cornered it may flatten its body and raise its head. Keep your distance and never try to handle or kill one. If someone is bitten, call emergency services right away, keep the person still and follow local first-aid guidance.
Bottom Line
Frogs are the tiger snake’s main food, with rodents, lizards and birds filling out the menu. To learn about other snakes, see what snakes eat in the Amazon rainforest and whether garter snakes eat spiders.
