The Predators of the Tiger Snake

The tiger snake is one of many venomous snakes native to Australia. It is a varied snake species with a number of subspecies that can range in size and appearance. The various species can measure between 4 and 7 feet in length. It is a large snake that is aggressive in defense and has a potent, neurotoxic venom. Even so, several of Australia's native animals can and do make a meal of these snakes.

  1. Small-Eyed snake

    • The small-eyed snake is another of Australia's venomous species. It grows to between 1 1/2 to just over 3 feet in length and has a stout body. The snake ranges in color from cream to pink with a blue head and darker patterning along its body. Although much smaller than an adult tiger snake, it is known to kill and eat juveniles. Other small reptiles, including its own species as well as eggs, make up the bulk of its diet.

    Pied Butcherbird

    • The pied butcherbird is a medium-sized bird found throughout much of Australia. It has a black back and head with white on its belly and small patches on its wings. It's most common in wooded areas, often using tree branches as hunting perches. The birds feed on small reptiles, mammals and amphibians. Adult tiger snakes have little to fear from them, but young snakes can be caught and eaten. The butcherbird drops from its perch, pins its prey and uses its sharp beak to kill it.

    Brown Goshawk

    • The brown goshawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found widely in Australia. The bird has a slate gray back and head with areas of light brown around the neck and chest. It's most commonly found in woodland areas, using tree branches as hunting perches. The bird's diet consists mainly of small mammals such as rabbits as well as birds and small reptiles such as juvenile tiger snakes. It catches its prey by swooping down and grasping it in its powerful talons.

    Laughing Kookabura

    • The kookabura is the largest member of the kingfisher family, although it rarely eats fish. It is mainly whitish gray in color with darker, almost black coloration on the wings and the back of its head. It is most common in southeast Australia and parts of the southwest. The bird hunts from a perch and will drop onto prey grabbing it in its beak. It then flies back to its perch and shakes and slams the prey against branches to kill it. Small reptiles like young tiger snakes are included in its diet.

    Swamp Harrier

    • The swamp harrier is a large Australian bird of prey found near the country's coastal regions and less commonly deep inland. It has a slender body and is mainly light to dark brown with some paler coloring near the tail. As the name suggests, it's most common in wetland habitats where it feeds on mammals, amphibians and reptiles such as the tiger snake. It searches for prey while in flight, gliding close to the ground and dropping down on animals, pinning them with its talons.