While the majority of snakes that eat rabbits do so in captivity because they are an easy source of large prey for reptile owners to acquire, some large snakes can and will eat rabbits in the wild.
Rabbits can be found throughout much of the world in Europe, North America, South America, India, parts of Asia and Africa and parts of Australia.
With such a large geographical range, rabbits share some of their habitats with some of the largest species of snakes in the world.
These large snakes are always looking for a substantial meal that can sustain them for long durations as they often go weeks without a meal.
As a result, rabbits and other similarly sized mammals offer a great source of energy for these large snakes.
How do Large Snakes Eat Rabbits?
Large snakes are able to eat rabbits even if the rabbits are larger than the snake’s mouth or neck. The main criteria are that the rabbit isn’t much larger than the snake at the snake’s widest point.
Snakes are able to eat large prey because they are able to extend their jaws and open their mouths very wide. They have also adapted to be able to breath while swallowing such large prey items.
There is a popular myth that snakes can dislocate their jaw in order to be able to open their mouth so wide. However, this isn’t true.
A snake’s jaws aren’t connected the same way human jaws are. They have special ligaments connecting their jawbones which they can extend. This allows them to eat such large prey.
List of Snakes that Eat Rabbits
There are a number of different species of snake that are capable of eating rabbits in captivity. While it can be avoided for most snakes, larger snakes may need a bigger meal than mice and rats.
Therefore, if you are uncomfortable with the taught of feeding your snake rabbits, you should consider a species of snake that doesn’t grow too large.
We have listed some of the species of snakes that eat rabbits below. Keep in mind that some of these snakes may be small enough to be sustained on a diet of rats, but others will need a more substantial meal.
Reticulated Python
The first species worth mentioning when looking at snakes that eat rabbits is the Reticulated Python. This species is the Largest Snake in the World in terms of overall length so they need to be fed large meals.
They often grow to up to 20ft long with exceptional specimens reaching even greater lengths.
Juveniles and young adults can easily be sustained on a diet of appropriately sized rats but larger individuals may need a more substantial meal.
It is not uncommon for large Reticulated Pythons to be fed rabbits, chickens and even young pigs. However, they don’t need to be fed such large meals every week. After a substantial meal, these snakes can go weeks without eating again.
Green Anaconda
The Green Anaconda is a very large snake. In fact, while it is not as long as the Reticulated Python, it is heavier making it the heaviest snake in the world.
With such a large body, this snake needs to be fed substantial meals. This is why they are also considered snakes that eat rabbits in captivity.
While juveniles and younger specimens can be fed appropriately sized Rats, larger snakes will require more substantial meals and rabbits are usually the easiest meal to source.
Burmese Python
The Burmese Python is probably the most popular large snake kept in captivity. They are very popular pets due to their large size and docile nature.
However, these snakes can grow very large and owners need to be aware that these snakes not only require a lot of space but also need to be fed large meals.
Depending on the size of the snake, they may be sustained on a diet of large rats but larger specimens may need to be fed rabbits.
African Rock Python
The African Rock Python is not as commonly kept in captivity as other large snakes such as the Burmese Python or Reticulated Python but they are still kept by some large snake keepers.
It is the largest snake in Africa and can reach lengths of up to 20 feet. This is rare however, with specimens usually topping out at around 12ft.
While 12ft is still very large for a snake, it could be sustained on a diet of large rats with maybe the occasional larger meal thrown in.
However, if your African Rock Python is approaching 20ft in length, then it will definitely need a larger source of food such as rabbits, chickens and maybe even the occasional young pig.
Indian Python
Like the African Rock Python, the Indian Python is not as common in the pet trade but there are some large snake keepers who have them.
The Indian Python generally grows to around 10ft in length and has a very muscular body. A snake this size can be sustained on large rats.
However, if you have an exceptionally large specimen, you may want to supplement their diet with larger prey.
While this snake doesn’t need to be fed rabbits in captivity, due to its large size it can certainly be considered one of the snakes that eat rabbits.
Other Snakes that Eat Rabbits
There are a number of other species of snakes that can eat rabbits. Not too many species would be capable of eating a fully grown large rabbit but many can consume smaller ones that can make a substantial meal.
Any snake that is large enough to eat an adult or juvenile rabbit can be fed one. However, it is important to factor in how large the meal is and the age and metabolism of the snake species.
Many adult snakes that eat a substantial meal won’t need to be fed again for a number of weeks.
Some of the other species of snakes that are capable of eating rabbits include Boa Constrictors, Yellow Anacondas, Bull Snakes and Olive Pythons.