Few animals spark as much curiosity — and fear — as snakes.
But despite their reputation, snakes are not aggressive, malicious, or looking to harm people. In fact, most want nothing more than to avoid contact with humans entirely.
Understanding why snakes behave the way they do, where they like to live, and what attracts them can help homeowners stay safe, keep their property snake-free, and feel more confident around these often-misunderstood creatures.
Here’s a clear and practical guide to snake behavior and the patterns that shape their daily lives.
1. Snakes Are Not Aggressive — They Are Defensive
This is the biggest myth to dispel.
Snakes do not seek out humans.
They don’t want to bite.
They don’t chase people.
A snake bite is almost always:
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defensive
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a last resort
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a reaction to being stepped on, surprised, grabbed, cornered, or provoked
Snakes rely on camouflage and avoidance. Biting risks injury for them, so it’s never their first choice.
Snakes prefer to:
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hide
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escape
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freeze in place
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retreat into cover
If a snake appears “aggressive,” it is almost certainly frightened and doing everything it can to make itself look bigger or more threatening to scare you away.
2. Snakes Are Driven by Three Simple Needs
Understanding snake behavior is easier when you know the three things they consistently seek:
✔ Warmth (they are cold-blooded)
Snakes need heat to regulate their body temperature.
You’ll find them sunning on rocks, warm driveways, wood piles, or near heat-retaining structures.
✔ Food
Their diet depends on species, but common prey includes:
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mice and rats
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frogs and toads
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insects
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birds
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lizards
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eggs
If you have a rodent problem, you instantly become more appealing to snakes.
✔ Shelter
Snakes love:
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tall grass
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wood piles
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clutter
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stacked stones
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dense shrubs
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gaps under sheds, porches, foundations
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cool, damp spots (for some species)
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warm attics (for others)
Snakes go wherever there’s safety and steady resources.
3. Snakes Follow Predictable Seasonal Patterns
Snake activity changes dramatically throughout the year.
Spring
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Snakes emerge from brumation (their version of hibernation).
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They are hungry, active, and looking for mates.
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You’ll see them basking in the sun to warm up.
Summer
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High activity in the mornings and evenings when temperatures are moderate.
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Midday heat drives many snakes into shade or burrows.
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This is the most common time for backyard sightings.
Fall
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Increased feeding before winter.
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More movement as they search for overwintering spots.
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They may be found in garages, sheds, or under debris if those areas stay warm.
Winter
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In colder regions, snakes brumate in dens (often shared with other snakes).
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In warmer climates, they may stay partially active.
Knowing these patterns explains why snake sightings often spike in spring and fall.
4. Snakes Are Quiet Pest Controllers
One of the most overlooked facts about snakes?
They play a vital role in controlling rodents and insects.
A single snake can:
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eat dozens of mice per year
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reduce rodent-borne diseases
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help manage agricultural pests
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keep ecosystems balanced
Many harmless snake species (like garter snakes or rat snakes) provide natural pest control that benefits homeowners.
5. Common Snake Behaviors Explained
1. “Why do snakes sunbathe?”
To warm up their bodies so they can move, digest food, and hunt.
Cold snakes are slow and vulnerable.
2. “Why do snakes freeze in place?”
Snakes rely on camouflage. Staying still makes them invisible to predators — including humans.
3. “Why do snakes rattle, hiss, or coil?”
These are defensive displays to scare off threats.
It’s the snake saying: “Please go away.”
4. “Why do snakes enter houses?”
Usually because:
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a door or gap was left open
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there’s a rodent problem
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there’s cool shade
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they accidentally wandered in while following prey
Snakes do not purposely seek human dwellings for shelter unless the habitat is extremely inviting.
5. “Why do snakes shed their skin?”
To allow growth and remove parasites.
Shedding usually happens 4–12 times a year depending on species.
6. Where Snakes Like to Hide Around Homes
Snakes prefer quiet, undisturbed areas with cover. Common hiding spots include:
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Tall grass and overgrown yards
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Wood piles
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Stone walls
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Trash piles
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Under decks or porches
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Gaps in foundations
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Crawlspaces
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A/C condensers
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Storage rooms
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Shed interiors
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Attics (rare, but possible depending on species)
If you reduce these hiding spots, you dramatically reduce snake activity.
7. What Attracts Snakes to a Property
Snakes appear where food and shelter are easily found.
You may attract snakes if you have:
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a rodent problem
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cluttered yards
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standing water
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bird feeders (which attract rodents)
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pet food outside
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compost piles
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untrimmed vegetation
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holes or gaps leading under structures
Removing these attractants often causes snakes to move on naturally.
8. Identifying Venomous vs. Non-Venomous Behavior
Most snake encounters involve harmless species.
Even venomous species usually avoid conflict.
Common differences (general guidelines):
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Venomous snakes often hold their ground when threatened.
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Non-venomous snakes are more likely to flee.
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Some non-venomous snakes mimic dangerous behavior (hissing, rattling, flattening heads) as a bluff.
Important:
Never rely solely on color or pattern for identification. Many non-venomous snakes look similar to venomous species.
If unsure, call a professional.
9. How Snakes Benefit the Environment
Snakes play essential ecological roles:
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They keep rodent populations in check
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They reduce disease spread
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They serve as prey for hawks, owls, and other predators
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They help regulate insect populations
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They help maintain balanced ecosystems
In many regions, removing snakes disrupts local ecology.
10. How Homeowners Can Reduce Conflicts with Snakes
Do:
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Keep grass trimmed
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Remove debris and wood piles
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Seal gaps around foundations and doors
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Fix rodent problems (snakes follow prey)
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Use tightly-fitted lids on garbage bins
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Keep walkways well-lit
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Wear closed-toe shoes outdoors at night
Don’t:
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Try to pick up or kill a snake
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Corner or provoke the snake
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Leave cluttered areas untouched
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Leave doors open at night
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Leave pet food outside
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Handle snake skins or sheds with bare hands
In most cases, snakes will leave if the environment stops meeting their needs.
Final Thoughts
Snakes are not villains — they are an essential part of healthy ecosystems.
By understanding their behavior and natural patterns, homeowners can reduce fear, avoid misconceptions, and prevent unwanted encounters.
Snakes don’t want to harm people.
They simply want food, warmth, and safety — the same things every animal needs.
With simple prevention and awareness, people and snakes can coexist with far fewer surprises and far greater peace of mind.
Got Wildlife or Pests?
If you think that you have a wildlife or pest infestation problem, don't hesitate to reach out to us by calling 855-WILDLIFE or by visiting www.wildlifexteam.com for more information.
Thanks!
-Wildlife x Team International