How Does This Snake Kill Its Prey?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Does This Snake Kill Its Prey?
Image: Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Mention snakes to some people and they will run a mile. Show them a snake, and they will run a mile more!

How do you rank in that regard? In all seriousness, snakes are fascinating creatures. They are really a varied species and come in many shapes, sizes, and levels of deadly!

And they are deadly for a number of reasons. Obviously, we all think of snakes that bite first. Those fangs are perfectly made to help inject poison into a hapless victim, usually its prey. Once the poison does its work, and the prey is incapacitated, the snake has his ready meal!

Other larger snakes make use of constriction as a way to kill their intended victim. First, they catch them and then slowly wrap their bodies around them, squashing the life force out of the hapless prey. Once done, they too have a meal ready and waiting.

Some snakes even hunt their victims and eat them whole when they catch them. Yes, while they are still alive. Eeew! That can't go down to well...

But would you be able to tell which method a snake would use? For example, a rattlesnake. Would it use venom, eat whole or constrict its victim.

Let's sssssseeeee how you do.

Good luck!

Green Anaconda
shutterstock
How does an anaconda kill its prey?
Constriction
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in South America, Anacondas have four distinct species. One of these, the green anaconda, is the second largest snake in the world in terms of length but the largest in weight. Anacondas constrict their prey, killing them and then eating them.

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Death Adder
Shutterstock
Beautiful but dangerous, you want to steer clear of this death adder. It kills its prey using which method below?
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common death adder is a native of Australia. With its extremely long fangs, the death adder injects venom into its prey. Once dead, the death adder will eat it. It will lie in wait for days for a victim and usually feeds on small birds and mammals.

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Ball Python
shutterstock
Any idea how the ball python does away with its prey?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also known as the royal python, this snake is beautiful. Because they are relatively small, they are favored as pets.

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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
shutterstock
A true rattler, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake uses which of the options below to feed?
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the heaviest snake found in North America. It is also extremely poisonous! They kill their prey by lying in ambush, attacking, biting and then releasing. They follow the victim until it dies, at which point they will feed.

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Black Mamba
Shutterstock
How does a black mamba down its prey?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Contriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The longest snake in Africa, the Black Mamba is legendary. It can reach up to 10 ft in length and is said to chase its prey, even humans, by biting them and injecting them with venom. Black Mambas can travel at speeds up to 6.8 mph over a short distance.

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Garter snake
shutterstock
Not dangerous to humans, a garter snake will use which method when feeding?
Venom
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not dangerous to humans, you don't want to be a small mammal, slug, lizard, earthworm or any small creature near a hungry garter snake. Although they do possess venom, most garter snakes attack their victims and swallow them whole.

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Boa Constrictor
Embreus via Wiki Commons
Often kept as a pet, which of the methods below does the boa use to deal with prey?
Venom
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Boa constrictors, also called the red-tail boa, grab their prey, suffocating them by wrapping themselves around them multiple times.

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Russell's Viper
Shutterstock
The chain viper is found throughout Asia. How does this beautiful snake dispose of its prey?
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Growing up to four feet in length, the chain viper, also known as Russel's viper, kills its prey by biting it and injecting venom. Their primary source of food is rodents, although they will feed on other small animals if rodents are not available. Supposedly, the chain viper has the loudest hiss of any snake.

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Tiger Snake
shutterstock
The stunning looking tiger snake kills prey using which of the options below?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tiger Snakes bite and inject venom into their prey. These snakes are extremely poisonous and are found in Australia.

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Belcher's Sea Snake
shutterstock
In what way does a Belcher's sea snake incapacitate its prey?
Venom
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although they are venomous, the Belcher's Sea Snakes are not considered that dangerous as they only bite in extreme situations and then, do not always inject venom. These snakes grow up to a meter in length.

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African Rock Python
Shutterstock
An African rock python is known to attack how?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in sub-Saharan Africa, the African rock python is the biggest snake on the continent. In fact, it is one of the top six largest snakes found on Earth. It uses its size to its advantage, attacking its prey, constricting it till dead and then eating it. Badass!

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Philippine Cobra
n/a
This is a Philippine cobra. Identify a method from those below in which it will deal with its evening meal, please.
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Philippine cobra is one of the most venomous snakes in the world and simply needs to bite its prey and inject some venom to have a nice meal. These snakes can spit their venom too, but this is a purely defensive reaction.

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Emerald Tree Boa
shutterstock
Any ideas as to how the garden tree boa pictured in this image will take down its prey?
Constriction
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found throughout South America, the beautiful garden tree boa can be fairly aggressive. With prey, they will attack and then constrict till dead, at which point they will feed.

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Inland Taipan
Wiki Commons by
How does the strangely named Taipan deal with its prey?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This fast moving snake is found in Australia. They are highly poisonous and bit their prey, injecting venom to kill them, at which point they feed. Taipans mainly eat small mammals.

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Eastern Indigo snake
Jeremy Woodhouse/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
The Eastern indigo snake is found in the Eastern USA, where it will use which method below when hunting?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Eastern indigo snake hunts a range of creatures that form part of its diet, including other snakes. They are carnivorous, eating their prey whole. Sometimes, they will beat their prey against rocks to kill them before eating them.

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Tiger Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
A Tiger rattlesnake will use which method below to take down its prey?
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in parts of Mexico and the Southwestern United States, the Tiger rattlesnake is a highly venomous rattler. They feed mostly on mammals but will eat reptiles as well.

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Reticulated Python
n/a
How does a reticulated python deal with prey?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The longest snake type found on Earth, a reticulated python uses its body to constrict prey, killing them and then eating them. They are found throughout South and Southeast Asia. Two cases have been reported of these massive snakes devouring humans!

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Sand Boa
Ltshears via Wiki Commons
Species of the sand boa are found throughout the world, from Asia, to America and even Africa. How does it deal with prey at feeding time?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sand boa is a non-venomous snake. It will constrict its prey, killing it and then eating it. These snakes mostly feed on rodents.

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Indian Cobra
n/a
You should be able to recognize a cobra from this image. This one is an India cobra. Would it constrict, eat or use venom on its prey?
Venom
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With its wide hood, the Indian cobra, found in many parts of Asia is beautiful. It is also dangerous and responsible for the most snakebites of any species in India. They use venom to take down their prey while hunting.

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Ribbon snake
Stan Osolinski/Photodisc/Getty Images
This image shows a ribbon snake. How do you think it feeds?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Part of the garter snake family, the ribbon snake is a carnivore that eats its prey whole. Their diet mostly consists of slugs, worms, and other small creatures. They are fairly docile and often kept as pets.

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Blood Python
Lucas829 via Wiki Commons
The stunning looking blood python is featured in this image. Will it eat, constrict or use venom on its prey?
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With their beautiful coloring, it's not difficult to see why blood pythons are popular pets. These snakes feed on mammals and birds in the wild.

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Gaboon Viper
Tom Brakefield/Photodisc/Getty Images
Here we have the Gaboon viper. Can you tell us its method of dealing with prey?
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in parts of Africa, the Gaboon viper has some stunning markings. Its long 2-inch fangs produce the most venom out of any snake type.

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Rubber Boa
Kameron Perensovich via Wiki Commons
How does the rubber boa feed?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rubber boa is found in western parts of the United States and parts of Canada. These snakes are incredibly docile and will not bite humans. Instead, they release a powerful musk when feeling threatened.

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Rinkhals
Shutterstock
Also called the ringneck spitting cobra, the rinkhals is one bad dude! How does it deal with prey?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although it has a hood like a cobra, a rinkhals is not actually from the cobra family. Although they use venom to take down their prey, when they encounter humans, a rinkhals will often spit venom and aim at the victim's eyes. Ouch!

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Boomslang
Shutterstock
A boomslang, which means 'tree snake' is found in Africa. How does it dispose of its prey.
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Certainly one of the most beautiful snakes around, the boomslang is found in sub-Saharan Africa. Growing up to 5 feet in length, a boomslang will use venom to kill its prey before eating.

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Eastern Hognose snake
Nathan Shepard/Moment Open/Getty Images
Which of these methods below will the Eastern hognose snake use on its prey?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Non venomous, an Eastern hognose snake eats anything it catches whole! It is particularly fond of toads and other amphibians.

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King Cobra
Shutterstock
The king cobra is shown in this image. It deals with its prey in what manner?
Constriction
Venom
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The king cobra is the longest venomous in the world. In fact, the longest ever recorded reached 19 feet! King cobras use a very strong venom to disable their prey before eating it.

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Stimson's python
Christopher Watson via Wiki Commons
Does a Stimson python eat its prey whole? Or does it bite them and inject venom? Or does it use constriction methods?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in Australia, the Stimson python will deal with its prey through constriction. They eat small mammals, lizards and even frogs.

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Inland Taipan
WikiCommons
An inland taipan will deal with prey by __________
Venom
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the most venomous snake on planet Earth! In fact, the venom from one bite of this snake can kill 100 people. Incredible. Its prey stands no chance then.

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Rosy Boa
Robert Marien/Corbis/Getty Images
How does the rosy boa take out its prey?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of only two boa types found in the United States, the rosy boa is a constrictor and used that method to dispose of its prey before feeding. As they are fairly docile, they make great pets.

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Water snake
Amy Surowiec/Moment/Getty Images
Can you tell us how a water snake will take down its prey before feeding?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are many different species of water snakes. Generally they will attack and eat fish whole.

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Brazilian Rainbow Boa
shutterstock
Simply stunning! Rainbow boas are pretty indeed. Their prey doesn't think so when it is taken down, however. How does this snake accomplish that?
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rainbow Boa

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Eastern Brown Snake
WikiCommons
What method does the Eastern brown snake, pictured here, deal with prey?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in Australia and New Guinea, the Eastern brown snake, also called the common brown snake, uses venom but some have been seen wrapping around their victims to aid them biting the prey. Venom does the job though ultimately.

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Calabar Python
Ltshears via Wiki Commons
Which of these would the Calabar python use when hunting prey?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Constriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in West and Central Africa, the Calabar python is a burrowing snake, and it burrows to find it prey as well. It preys on shrews and rodents.

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Blue Krait BW
Shutterstock
The beautiful blue krait is shown here. What hunting and feeding method does it use?
Venom
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in Southeast Asia, the blue krait will use venom to incapacitate its prey and then eat it. They are identified by their blue/black and white crossbands.

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Thread snake
Wiki Commons
Any idea how a Barbados thread snake will take down its prey?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A very small snake, the Barbados thread snake is a burrower. It feeds on the larvae of ants and termites, eating them whole.

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Emarald Tree Boa
by toonman/Moment/Getty Images
The beautiful emerald tree boa is pictured here. Which of the options below would it use while hunting and feeding?
Eats the prey whole
Constriction
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unmistakable with its bright green color, the emerald tree boa is found in South America. Growing to about 1.6 meters in length, this boa constricts prey before eating. Prey includes lizards, small mammals and even birds.

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Saw Scaled Viper
Shutterstock
The interestingly named saw scaled viper would use which of the answers below to deal with prey?
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in Africa and the Middle East, the saw scaled viper is a venomous snake that has a varied diet including worms, locusts, birds, toads, and mammals. It incapacitates them by injecting venom and then eating them.

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Carpet Python
Kazzaz Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Carpet pythons hunt pray using which method below?
Constriction
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although they hunt mammals and smaller creatures, the carpet python has been known to attack domestic cats and even dogs! It kills by constriction.

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Eastern Coral Snake BW
Shutterstock
The eastern coral snake has unbelievable coloring. It is deadly, however. How would it kill its prey?
Eats the prey whole
Venom
Constricting
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The eastern coral snake is very venomous but luckily, reclusive. They hunt a range of prey, incapacitating them with the venom before eating them.

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Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images