Snakes live in every continent (except Antarctica) and countries close to the arctic (Ireland, New Zealand, Greenland, and Iceland). They curl up in rocks, roots, tall grass, and under leaves.
Where do Snakes Live?
| Location | Where you’ll Find Them |
|---|---|
| Rainforests | The understory of the rainforest, low-hanging trees, and rocks near rivers. |
| Urban Environments | Under roots, between rocks, along fence lines, and (when basking) on concrete. |
| Backyards | Under roots, in rock walls, in tall grass, and under leaves. |
| Parks | Under roots, in rock walls, in tall grass, and under leaves. |
For snakes, any place is habitable provided that the temperature is not extremely cold. Snakes habitats might vary from species to species, but in general, snakes prefer quiet and isolated habitats with lots of places to hide and escape.
This article will go over where snakes live, whether or not they can live in your backyard or local parks, where their habitats are in the wild, and what dictates where they choose to live.
How do Snakes Choose a Home?
Snakes are attracted to habitats where they can easily change their body temperature.
Snakes are reptiles and like most reptiles, they are solitary animals. So they will always find shelter that is as far from humans or predators as possible.
But one important determinant of a snake’s home is the temperature.
As cold-blooded creatures, they need to control their body temperature very often and this is done by controlling the temperature of their surroundings.
To warm up they will lay in the sun for hours and find shade when necessary to cool them down. Snakes can often be found under trees or logs, mainly as they are looking for shade.
But you may also find a snake lying on the road or in your path, and that’s because they’re seeking the sunshine to warm up their bodies.
In winter or harsh cold weather, snakes tend to brumate (become less active). They may do this in a group which is rare for solitary animals. When they brumate they do this in burrows or caves, safe from predators.
Related: Where do Snakes Hide in a House?
Where do Snakes live in the Rainforest?
Snakes would live in the River and the Understory of the Rainforest. These two sections are the lowest sections of the Rainforest.
Snakes look for three things in a shelter: it is hidden from view, protects them from their potential predators, and is a good place to ambush prey.
In the Rainforest several snakes are located in the lowest layer: the river. Snakes that are constrictors (Green Anaconda) reside there away from predators for their safety.
Other species like the Brazilian Rainbow Boa live in the understory. The understory is one of the main places in the rainforest associated with snakes. Snakes who live in the understory situate themselves in the trunks of trees or root systems prepared to entrap their prey.
Where do Snakes Live in the City?
The main place snakes reside in the city is underground or under certain greenery. They may hide under trees and other flora or even man-made structures like basements and furniture.
Snakes search for isolated places in the city. The most important factor is sound. Snakes dislike loud sounds because of the vibrations they cause.
One of the main reasons snakes choose to live in cities is the abundance of rats and other rodents (their prey). Add that to the fact there are a lot of hiding spaces such as alleys and basements, and snakes have the perfect living environment.
Research has shown that snakes like basking on hot concrete which the city is covered in. Many desert snakes or snakes that thrive more in desert-like conditions enjoy slithering on hot concrete.
Do Snakes Live in Your Backyard?
Yes. Snakes may live in your backyard. This includes but is not exclusive to hedges, rock walls, and outdoor furniture.
Snakes will often hide under tall grass and leaf littering. They do this to hide from their main predators: birds. An unattended or neglected garden can result in snakes settling in.
Trees are also common places to find snakes in your backyard. Whether the tree was planted or it was a natural occurrence, it still attracts snakes. Thus, gardeners will often get a nasty surprise when working around their trees and plants!
If you have rock walls, snakes may hide there, too. The snakes can use the rock walls as shelter from predators, and they allow the snakes to move about in the shadows without detection.
Can Snakes Live In Parks?
Parks provide all the requirements for a snake habitat, so snakes can be found in parks.
In most parks there are trees and trees are one of the main habitats for snakes. The snake population may vary from park to park. If there are more trees and the parks’ upkeep is low then it is likely there may be more snakes.
The root systems and stumps are what attract snakes. This can be a good hiding spot for snakes as well as hedge-fences that surround most parks.
Snakes avoid the middle section of the park as it is the main section that is always crowded with people. There is no guarantee that snakes always stay away from the center of the park. Snakes can settle in on the playground tunnels, specifically tunnels.
Do Snakes have Dens?
Snakes will often live in dens, particularly during hibernation, but they do not actually make the dens!
They will find the dens of other creatures to hide in. These holes are mostly constructed by rabbits or moles.
They enter the dens to first check for food and if there is no food they use it as a hiding spot either straight away or for later purposes.
Conclusion
To sum up, snakes live everywhere except in extremely cold places. Snakes are very adaptable to their environment, but they do usually need a basking spot nearby in order to regulate their own body temperature.
Snakes are known to live in the river and understory of rainforests. They are subjective to good hiding places such as dens and burrows.
The population of snakes is rising in urban areas. In the city, snakes can be found in basements and quiet nooks and crannies. Snakes can be found in places that are deemed as odd such as toilets and under beds.
Overall, snakes live in solitary environments. Their habitat should protect them and have an abundance of food. Snakes can have more than one living environment for hiding away.
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