Skip to Content

Top 19 Animals That Hunt Rattlesnakes

kingsnake
Many kingsnake species exhibit cryptic coloration, blending seamlessly into their surroundings to evade predators and ambush prey. Image by Thomas Evans via Unsplash

Read all the way to the end – we save the one detail most people never think about for last.

Have you ever wondered what the top 19 animals are that hunt rattlesnakes? I was pretty curious myself. So let’s jump right in together!

#19 Kingsnakes

kingsnake
Kingsnakes possess a remarkable immunity to the venom of other snakes, including deadly species like rattlesnakes and copperheads. Image by Thomas Evans via Unsplash
1 of 20
Want to read this again later?

These serpents make a meal out of rattlesnakes like no one has seen before.

#18 Roadrunners

roadrunner
Roadrunner. Image by twildlife via depositphotos.
2 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Generally, quick on their feet, they snatch up rattlesnakes before they can even rattle.

#17 Hawks

Harris's Hawk
Hawk. Image by James Lee via Unsplash
3 of 20
Want to read this again later?

They swoop down from above, giving rattlers a surprise they ain’t expecting.

#16 Owls

blakiston’s fish owl
Blakiston’s fish owl is the largest owl globally. Image by feather0510 via Depositphotos.
4 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Silent but deadly, they catch rattlers slippin’ under the cover of night.

#15 Mongooses

Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) at the London Zoo.
Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) at the London Zoo. By Steven G. Johnson – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11326536
5 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Small but mighty, they take down rattlers with lightning-fast reflexes.

#14 Eagles

Brown snake eagle. Image via depositphotos.
6 of 20
Want to read this again later?

With eyesight sharper than a knife, they spot rattlers from quite some distance away.

#13 Bobcats

bobcat
Bobcat lazily yawning. Image via Pixabay
7 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Stealthy predators, they pounce on rattlers with lethal precision.

#12 Coyotes

Coyote
Coyote Image by karlumbriaco.hotmail.com via Depositphotos
8 of 20
Want to read this again later?

They are the furthest from picky eaters, and rattlers are just another snack on the menu.

#11 Gopher Snakes

mama bird dies trying to save her chicks

Gopher Snake. Image via Depositphotos
9 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Evidently, mimicking rattlers, they fool their prey before striking.

#10 Opossums

opossum
Opossum balancing on a branch. Image by Cody Pope, CC BY-SA 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
10 of 20
Want to read this again later?

What do you know, we have arrived at the half way point in our list of animals that hunt rattlesnakes. Surprisingly, these critters ain’t afraid to mix with rattlesnakes.

#9 Badgers

badger
Image by Vincent van Zalinge via Unsplash
11 of 20
Want to read this again later?

While being impressive diggers, they hunt rattlers in their own turf.

#8 Gila Monsters

gila monster
Gila Monster. Image by jessiegirl413 via Pixabay
12 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Evidently, slow and steady, they may not be in a rush, but they still get the job done.

#7 Wildcats

wildcat
Image by Leonemanuel via Wikimedia – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
13 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Agile and cunning, they outmaneuver rattlers with ease.

#6 Ferrets

ferret
Image by eluxirphoto via Pixabay
14 of 20
Want to read this again later?

While being sneaky little devils, they wriggle into tight spots to catch rattlers off guard.

#5 Bullsnakes

bull snake
Adult female bullsnake showing its long tongue. Image via Depositphotos
15 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Big and bold, they stare down rattlers before striking.

#4 Herons

great blue heron
A great blue heron takes flight. Image by Joshua J. Cotten via Unsplash
16 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Wading through marshes, they snatch up rattlers like it’s a stroll in the park.

#3 Weasels

Long-tailed Weasel Yosemite National Park
Long-tailed Weasel By jill@ghostbear.org via Depositphotos
17 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Small size, big attitude. They fear no rattler.

#2 Foxes

channel island fox
Image by buteo via Depositphotos
18 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Clever and crafty, they outsmart rattlers with their cunning ways.

#1 Skunks

spotted skunk
Image by JayPierstorff via Depositphotos
19 of 20
Want to read this again later?

Surprisingly enough, these stinkers ain’t afraid to take on rattlers if need be.

Wrapping Up with Animals That Hunt Rattlesnakes

Bald Eagle
Close up shot of United States iconic bird facing camera with wings spread in flight. Image via Depositphotos
20 of 20
Want to read this again later?

I have never seen a skunk before, it would be an absolute dream come true! I think I may need to visit soon to see one for myself! This is our official list of Animals That Hunt Rattlesnakes. If you think there should’ve been other animals included in this list, please feel free to let us know in the comments. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Thank you for following along with this article – 

Next up in the animal kingdom:

Latest posts by Jen Fitschen, BSc Computer Science and Oceanography (see all)