There are several species of wild berry plants in North America referred to as “snake berries“. Their name often causes confusion, and many people wonder if snakes are drawn to these plants.
Snake berries do not directly attract snakes. However, the cool, shady environments these plants create, are very attractive to snakes.
Snake berries provide an excellent environment for snakes to hide from predators, and to ambush small animals, like rodents, and lizards.
In short, snake berries simply create an environment that snakes love. But it’s not the plants themselves that lure snakes in.
Snakes Berries Don’t Lure Snakes Directly
As mentioned earlier, snakes are not inherently attracted to snake berries themselves.
In fact, there is no plant that snakes are naturally attracted to, just because of the plant itself.
Snakes are obligate carnivores, which means their diet is entirely made up of animal products.
They do not eat snake berries or any other plants.
What attracts snakes to areas with snake berries, is the ecosystem that naturally develops around the plants.
The name “snake berry” comes from folk wisdom, but it does not mean these plants have anything to do with actual snakes. It is a myth-based label that is often used by people, to describe plants that look unusual or dangerous.
3 Reasons Why Snakes Are Drawn to Snake Berries
Here are 3 reasons why snakes are often drawn to snake berries:
1. Snake Berries Provide Shelter
Snakes are secretive animals that heavily rely on their surroundings to protect themselves from predators and also to regulate their body temperature.
Because of this, snakes are drawn to places that offer reliable shelter.
Snake berry plants such as Potentilla indica (mock strawberry) grow close to the ground and form thick, mat-like vegetation.
This dense ground cover creates an ideal environment for snakes.
The cover provided by the snake berries, as well as dead leaves and plant debris that accumulate on the ground – enable snakes to stay hidden from predators.
It also provides protection from direct sunlight, enabling snakes to stay cool in hot weather.
The reason snakes are drawn to snake berries for shelter, is the same reason snakes often hide under rocks, logs, or mulch. They want to stay hidden, cool, and avoid direct sunlight that can dehydrate them during hot weather.
2. Abundance of Prey
The cool, shaded environment that snake berries create is very appealing to many of the small animals that snake prey on.
Rodents, frogs, toads, and lizards, also use the thick foliage for cover, and can often be found around snake berries.
This concentration of small animals attracts snakes, especially species that prey on rodents, amphibians, or reptiles.
Snakes in general, are very opportunistic and will be drawn to any area where they can find a reliable source of food.
Once a snake learns that an area provides easy prey it may return repeatedly.
3. Water and Moisture
Snake berries often grow, in moist, undisturbed partially shaded areas.
Their overlapping leaves shield the ground from direct sunlight, helping reduce ground-level evaporation.
This creates cool, humid micro-climate that snakes seek out, especially during hot, or dry weather.
Snakes are cold-blooded animals. As the temperature changes at different times of day, they move around their environment to maintain optimal temperatures.
When their body temperature is low, they move into the sun to warm up, when it is high, they move to the shade or cool water to cool down.
The cool, shaded, and moist environment that snake berries create, is very attractive to snakes looking to stay cool and avoid dehydration in hot weather.
In short, snake berries create a cool, humid environment that is very attractive to snakes during hot, or dry weather.
Would Getting Rid of Snake Berries Keep Snakes Away?
To snakes, snake berries are not different from any other plants that grow in a way that can create a hidden environment.
Removing snake berries won’t keep snakes away on its own – because there are many other factors that could be drawing snakes to your yard.
To keep snakes away, you need to address everything that could attract them.
Here are a few things you can do to make your yard, or garden, less attractive to snakes.
1. Control Rodent and Insect Populations
One of the easiest ways of keeping snakes away is to get rid of the “snake food” (prey animals) you have in your yard or garden.
You can do this by getting rid of trash piles, or anything that may attract rodents or insects.
Ensure that food scraps are disposed of properly, as rats and mice are attracted to places where they can find food.
Also, avoid leaving uneaten pet food outdoors, and consider storing any bird seed in rodent-proof containers.
You could also use rodent traps placed in areas where you frequently see rodents.
The presence of insects could attract frogs, lizards, and other animals that prey on them. This could then attract snakes that prey on lizards and frogs.
Apart from rodents, you also have to discourage insects from coming into your yard, or garden.
To control insect populations, use natural insecticides like neem oil, and get rid of standing water that can act as a breeding ground for many insects.
In all, make sure there is nothing in or around your yard or garden, that can attract mice or other animals that snakes prey on.
Do not use glue traps. They are indiscriminate and can trap many animals that stumble onto them, including birds, lizards, and insects.
2. Mow Tall Grass, and Trim Dense Vegetation
Tall grass or dense vegetation provides the perfect cover for snakes to hide in. It also attracts mice and other small animals that prey on it.
Keep your grass short, and trim dense vegetation in and around your yard and garden.
Creating open space reduces the number of places where snakes can hide, and makes the area less inviting to them.
3. Reduce Hiding Places
Snakes love to hide under any cover they can find. Stacks of firewood, piles of rocks, dead leaves on the ground, or even compost piles, are all perfect places for snakes to hide.
Store firewood, lumber, and other piles of debris away from your home.
Clear up any build-up of dead leaves or other organic litter from the ground, and fill out any small burrows on the ground that snakes could hide in.
4. Install a Fence
Consider installing fine mesh fencing around your garden, or even around your whole yard if possible.
This fencing will act as a physical barrier and block off any snakes that may be attracted to the area.
It’s recommended to combine physical barriers, with other types of habitat control (eg, keeping the grass short, getting rid of rodents, etc.).
This creates a multilayered “snake prevention system“
Conclusion
If you see a snake around snake berries, it’s not the plant itself that is luring in the snake.
It’s the environmental conditions, that these plants create, that often attract snakes.
If you are worried about snakes coming into your yard or garden, your best bet is to address all the factors that could be drawing them in.
Getting rid of snake berries alone will not keep snakes away, if other factors are not addressed.