Snakes are not usually a major prey item for cats, but they have been known to occasionally kill and consume the meat of some cats – more frequently with feral than domesticated varieties. Though this occurs more frequently with feral cats than pet cats, it does not happen very often.
Snakes can be highly toxic and cause serious harm to your cat’s health if they consume them. If your cat has been bitten by a venomous snake, it’s imperative that they receive medical care promptly.
Venomous Snakes
Though you might not think so, cats on Earth possess predatory instincts and are adept at hunting for food. If they come across a prey animal they can handle, they will attempt to kill it by striking its hide with their sharp kitty claws.
If a venomous snake bites your cat, it is critical that they receive immediate medical care to avoid any permanent injuries. Snake venom can inflict devastating damage on organs including the brain; depending on which species of snake bit your pet, your pet may experience swelling, intense pain and even paralysis.
Cats often become bitten by venomous snakes, but they do not always die immediately after being bitten. In fact, some cats can survive these bites and live up to one year old without needing hospitalization or surgery.
Venomous snakes tend to be medium-sized creatures, with males larger than females. These serpents can be found around the world and often burrow underground for protection from larger animals like lions, tigers, bears and other large predators.
Snakes often go weeks or even months without eating due to their lower energy needs compared to other animals; this allows them to survive longer without needing constant growth in order to reproduce.
Snakes typically bite or sting to defend themselves against predators. They also slither around and hiss in an effort to scare away potential threats.
Venomous snakes possess a modified salivary gland which they use to inject their poison into prey. Venom has evolved over millions of years to cause severe reactions in victims, such as immobilization and hemorrhage to tissue death and inflammation.
Although there are many venomous snakes, only 10 species have been reported to bite humans and cause envenomation. One such species, Oxyuranus microlepidotus (Inland Taipan), has an LD50 of 0.025 mg/kg SC with a venom yield of 44 mg.
Another venomous snake that can bite and injure a human is the boomslang, which primarily lives in Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This rear-fanged snake contains highly toxic hemotoxic venom which can cause internal and external bleeding.
Though most snakes’ venom is generally not harmful to people, those with compromised immune systems or medical conditions that make them more vulnerable may suffer fatal outcomes. Venomous snakes are found virtually everywhere on Earth; however, unless you live in an area renowned for having these types of snakes, their presence should never be taken lightly.
Venomous snakes can be hard to identify if you’re not a biology major. They come in an array of colors and patterns, some featuring extreme stripes or different-colored bodies. Plus, their long fangs fold back into their mouths when not needed for bites.
