Why Do Snakes Climb Trees?

There are over 4,000 snake species in the world. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats and adapted to thrive in the areas they live in.

Snakes climb trees for several reasons, including to find food, escape from predators on the ground, bask in the sun, or even just to move around in their environment.

That said, not all snakes are good at climbing trees.

Many species, are more suited for life on the ground and are poor climbers. They may occasionally climb short trees but are generally not comfortable getting too high off the ground.

How Do Snakes Climb Trees?

Snakes use their slender bodies, strong flexible muscles, and rough scales to grip tree bark and branches.

To move upwards, many snake snakes use a method called ‘concertina locomotion‘, where they grip the surface with side-to-side S-shaped bends, and pull themselves along.

The scales on a snake’s belly are specialized to provide extra grip, allowing them to cling to rough textures. 

Some snakes may even wrap their bodies around the trunk, or branch of a tree in a coiled fashion, to gain extra traction.

Snakes rely on surface friction to climb, so they prefer to climb trees with rough bark that they can grip with ease.

Even skilled climbers may struggle to climb trees with smooth bark, or few branches to cling onto.

6 Reasons Why Snakes Climb Trees

There are several reasons why snakes may climb trees. They may be searching for a meal, basking in the sun, or just exploring their environment.

Here are 6 reasons why snakes climb trees:

1. Hunting

All snakes are obligate carnivores. Trees provide an abundance of prey for hungry snakes searching for a meal.

Snakes can feed on lizards, frogs, small mammals, and even birds (and their eggs) in the trees.

Many snakes are not picky eaters and will eat almost any prey they can catch and swallow whole (snakes do not chew their food).

They use their sense of smell, as well as their vision to detect and hunt for prey.

2. Predator Avoidance

Snakes are eaten by a wide variety of predators, such as hawks, owls, small mammals, and even other snakes.

For this reason, snakes developed several ways to defend themselves.

As a first line of defense, many snakes have a coloration that helps them camouflage or blend into their environments – escaping the notice of predators.

Climbing into trees can also help snakes avoid predators on the ground.

Some snakes will also attempt to flee up a tree when they spot a predator getting close.

Snakes of many species are very skilled climbers and can go up a tall tree within a few minutes.

3. Thermoregulation

Like all reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic) animals.

This means they cannot internally regulate their body temperature. Instead, their body temperature changes with the temperature in their surroundings.

In other words, their environment is the main influence on their body temperature.

As the temperature changes at different times of day and night, snakes move around in their environment to regulate their body heat. This is known as “behavioral thermoregulation.”

When their body temperature is low, they move into the sun to warm up, when it is high, they move to the shade to cool down.

Snakes often climb into trees to warm up and bask in the sunlight.

During the daylight hours, ambient temperatures are generally higher on the ground than in trees.

However, this occasionally reverses, such as when the ground is cooled by a light rain – and snakes may climb trees to get warmer temperatures.

4. Avoiding Dangers on the Ground

Sometimes, snakes climb trees to avoid various dangers on the ground.

For example, in areas that experience flooding, snakes may climb trees to escape to safety.

Although all snakes can swim, most snakes generally prefer solid ground and avoid flood waters.

Apart from floods, snakes can also climb trees to avoid small fires on the ground.

5. Finding Breeding Sites

Many arboreal snakes (snakes that spend most of their time in trees) lay their eggs in tree hollows or even abandoned bird nests.

Laying their eggs in trees protects them from predators and environmental extremes.

6. Exploring Their Environment

Climbing trees is an efficient way to move around in dense forests they explore.

Often, snakes will climb trees simply to move across different areas of their habitat.

Moving through the trees also means snakes will avoid encountering predators or other dangers on the ground.

Not All Snakes Frequently Climb Trees

Many species can utilize a broad range of habitats, at least occasionally. However, not all snakes are good climbers.

Generally, body shape & weight, scale type, natural habitat, and behavior

Arboreal snakes that spend a significant portion of their time in trees or shrubs, and tend to be very skilled climbers. They can go up a tree within a few minutes.

Terrestrial snakes of many species, on the other hand, are more suited for life on the ground and are not strong climbers. These snakes will rarely climb into trees.

Still, many ground-dwelling snakes can still make their way up short trees with surprising agility – especially in areas with dense vegetation to provide support.

Snakes Won’t Bite, or Fall Onto You From Trees

Although snakes often climb into trees, you don’t have to worry about snakes falling onto you, from trees.

The vast majority of venomous snake bites in the US happen when a snake is accidentally stepped on – or when people have already seen a snake, but try to interact with it rather than just moving away.

While a snake might slip from a branch if startled by the presence of a human, it is not an intentional ambush tactic – and it’s very unlikely that the snake will land directly on a person.

The idea of venomous snakes dropping out of trees onto unsuspecting hikers to attack is nothing other than a myth.

There is no evidence to suggest snakes intentionally drop from trees to attack or land on people.

If you are in an area where snakes are common, keep your eyes on the ground, not the branches above.

Conclusion

Many snakes can climb trees to some extent and often do so to bask in the sun, find food, and escape predators, among other reasons.

Although not all snakes are strong climbers, snakes in general are highly adaptable and more agile than most people think.

Many ground-dwelling snakes can easily climb into short trees and shrubs, especially in areas with thick vegetation.

Featured image credit: dhandler1968 (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Sources:

Jayne BC. What Defines Different Modes of Snake Locomotion? Integr Comp Biol. 2020 Jul 1;60(1):156-170. doi: 10.1093/icb/icaa017. PMID: 32271916; PMCID: PMC7391877.

Marvi, Hamidreza & Hu, David. (2010). Concertina locomotion of snakes.

Friction enhancement in concertina locomotion of snakes (PDF).