A snake's behaviour around humans is largely dependent on the
type and breed of snake that comes into contact with a human. There are
more than 2,000 different varieties of snake in the world that will all
react differently when in direct contact with a larger species, such as
being approached by a human. The main distinction in how any snake will
behave is down to whether or not it is of the venomous variety. While
less than 20% of all snakes are considered to be venomous, it is common
to be concerned or worried when approaching a snake because of the
connections to the minority that are venomous.
A basic instinct
Snakes,
like most animals, have a built-in instinct that dominates how they
behave, especially around humans. But unlike other many other species of
animal there is thought to be only a minimal thought process that
contributes to a snake's actions, instinct will more often than not take
over and a snake will react how it is instinctively designed to. In
venomous varieties like the cobra, this makes them more dangerous
towards humans and their aggressive approach to interaction will be
displayed when they are disturbed.
For the non-venomous snakes
such as boas, their behaviour around humans will greatly differ
depending on what kind of situation they are placed in. Most
non-venomous snakes are not considered aggressive in nature. However
this is not consistent with all breeds and there are certain
non-venomous snakes that will attack without provocation from humans. If
the snake's breed can be determined before any close interaction and it
is identified as the non-aggressive type, they can in some instances be
safe to approach.
When in direct contact with a human, a snake's
temperament will reflect how it is treated, which directly relates back
to its instinctive nature. For snakes that are not naturally aggressive
and who are not venomous there is very little reason why they would
attack. No considerable thought process dictates the snake's actions so
if it feels comfortable in its surroundings then it is likely not to
pose any heavy threat to nearby humans.
Flight or flight
A
snakes instinctive behaviour is often to flee an area that a human
enters; the dominant size of a human over that of a snake is reason
behind its instinct to escape the immediate area. A human will normally
pose a bigger threat over the snake than vice versa, hence the snake
will feel the need to protect itself in a defensive manner rather than
an offensive manner and attacking directly.
This can vary
depending on the situation the snake finds itself in. If the human
directly corners the snake or intrusively disrupts it then the snake may
feel there is no other option but to defend itself in an aggressive
manner. In these circumstances it is likely that the snake will strike
at the human it believes is a threat to it. While this is normally not
to kill or harm the human, it is a warning with enough force and speed
to scare the person and show that the snake is ready to defend itself.
Non-venomous
snakes generally don't view humans as a source of food as there is no
predatory instinct to attack them. This behaviour can change however is
the human's scent is tainted with the normal food of a snake such as a
small mammal. If contact has recently been made with any small creature
that the snake may instinctively hunt- including common household pets
like cats- the scent that remains will in some situations cause them to
attack the human.
A snake's behaviour to humans is as much
dependent on the behaviour displayed around them as well as the
instinctive nature that they have. If you quickly approach a snake or
create a loud scene they will consider it as an attack towards them and
will defend themselves in the only way they know how. If a snake is
calmly approached with caution and in the correct manner it will behave
differently to how it otherwise would, not knowing if they are friend or
foe.
Most common snake varieties will only attack if provoked and
will allow humans to handle them with ease. With other rarer, naturally
aggressive or venomous snakes such as the Rattlesnake varieties they
may attack any approaching human, even if they do not view the person as
a direct threat. Some species of snake have evolved to become better
capable of attacking without being noticed while others can be easily
frightened and wary of any intrusion. The behaviour of a snake can
generally be predicted if the breed is known, but it is always wise to
be cautious.
Neil Mellon has been investigating
the way snakes behave
for many years and is fascinated in particular by how they act around
humans. He is also an advocate for many forms of snake defence.
