Snakes rarely dig their own burrows: Who really builds their underground homes may surprise you

The image of snakes is often connected with underground burrows, secret passages, and holes in forests, fields, and pastures. But the truth is that very few snakes build their own burrows. Rather, these reptiles thrive on pre-existing burrows of other animals like rats, rabbits, tortoises, termites, and even foxes. Scientists studying the behavior of snakes, reptile ecology, and underground environments know that snakes tend to choose saving effort to building houses. In this way, snakes use burrows as shelters for thermoregulation, protection from predators, breeding purposes, and harsh climatic conditions.Contrary to animals such as moles and rabbits, snakes lack the physical attributes that would enable them to burrow extensively. Even though snakes have long bodies that can slither within cramped spaces, they are ill-equipped for carrying soil.A paper published in the National Library of Medicine explains that snakes are ectothermic animals because they rely on the environment’s temperature to regulate their own temperatures. Through burrowing, snakes are able to remain cool throughout summer, as well as have a source of protection during cold periods.Instead of expending valuable energy digging burrows, snakes use pre-existing habitats. For example, snakes make use of rodent burrows because they are tight, insulated, and close to a food source.Scientists have stated that snakes take advantage of any opportunity to find refuge and regularly seek out shelter “in burrows, hollow logs, rock crevices, and debris piles.”Despite being able to dig holes and live in sandy areas, certain snake species, including sand boas and shieldtail snakes, seldom make elaborate tunnels.What comes as a surprise is that several animal species become involuntary architects of these structures used by snakes for shelter. For instance, rats and mice contribute greatly to the creation of suitable living spaces for snakes, as their burrowing results in tunnels underground, which are highly desirable for the creatures.The presence of snakes near farms where there is grain and other rodents becomes common due to the cobras, rat snakes and kraits using the burrows built by rats as temporary shelters.Tortoises are yet another significant group of animals which contribute towards habitat creation for snakes. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the gopher tortoise burrows located in North America host more than 350 species of snakes, frogs, insects and mammals.Other structures, such as termite mounds and abandoned fox dens, can serve as shelters for snakes. Fallen tree roots and holes in forest environments are suitable for snakes. Herpetologist, Dr Harry Greene in his book ‘Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature’ has written that snakes have become adept at exploiting available space rather than engineering it.Burrows are crucial for snake existence since they act as protective shields against any natural threats and severe climatic changes. For instance, below-ground places have a constant level of both humidity and temperature compared to the surface area.When the summer season is extremely hot, snakes go underground for protection. Many snakes hibernate in burrows when it gets cold in winter. Female snakes can also lay their eggs underground to protect them from predators.Burrows also help snakes hunt their prey. Rodents like mice tend to pass through underground tunnels, thus giving snakes an easy time hunting their prey. Since snakes rely mostly on concealment, underground burrows help achieve that objective.The interaction between snakes and digging animals proves how much an ecosystem needs the presence of common grounds. The burrow made by one animal will host dozens of others within the lifespan of that hole.According to wildlife researchers, such symbiosis contributes to ecological equilibrium. Snakes act as natural predators to rodents, whereas deserted burrows serve as shelters. Moreover, snakes play a key role in defending agricultural lands and eliminating carriers of contagious diseases.Despite people’s prejudice against these creatures, reliance on homes made by other animals makes these reptiles appear quite helpless. Rather than digging holes themselves, snakes prefer using the infrastructure created by nature.