Nature is weird. Truly. You’ve probably seen the grainy, chaotic photo of a squirrel riding a snake circulating on your feed lately, and honestly, it looks like something straight out of a low-budget fantasy novel. Most people see a tiny rodent hitching a ride on a slithering predator and think it’s a Disney-style friendship or a freak accident of physics.
It isn’t.
When we talk about a squirrel riding a snake, we aren't talking about a commute. We’re talking about a brutal, high-stakes battle for survival that usually ends in one of them being dinner. It’s easy to get caught up in the "cute" or "bizarre" factor of animal interactions, but once you dig into the biology of ground squirrels and bullsnakes, the reality is way more intense than a funny meme.
The Viral Reality of a Squirrel Riding a Snake
The most famous instance of this actually comes from the National Park Service. A few years ago, a ranger at Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas captured a rock squirrel in a literal wrestling match with a desert whipsnake. It looked like the squirrel was "riding" the snake, but it was actually biting the snake’s head.
Squirrels are usually seen as the victims in the wild. They’re the "popcorn" of the animal kingdom—everything eats them. Hawks, foxes, and yes, snakes. But rock squirrels and California ground squirrels? They’re different. They have a bit of a mean streak when it involves protecting their burrows.
The image of a squirrel riding a snake is almost always a snapshot of "mobbing" behavior. This is when a prey animal stops running and starts attacking. It’s a bold move. The squirrel uses its agility to stay on the snake's "blind side," which often looks like it’s taking a seat on the reptile's back.
It’s All About the Pups
Why would a squirrel risk its life? Kids.
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Ground squirrels live in complex underground networks. When a snake—like a Gopher snake or a Rattlesnake—slithers into those tunnels, it’s looking for a nursery. If a mother squirrel catches a predator near her pups, she doesn't just squeak and hide. She goes to war.
She’ll kick dirt in the snake's face. She’ll wag her tail to look bigger. If that doesn't work, she jumps on. By "riding" the snake, the squirrel stays away from the strike zone. If you’re on the back of the neck, you can’t get bitten. It’s a frantic, dusty, tooth-and-nail fight where the squirrel attempts to chew through the snake’s spine or head.
Evolutionary Warfare: More Than Just a Ride
It’s not just about physical wrestling. These animals have been locked in an evolutionary arms race for millions of years.
For example, California ground squirrels have developed a wild biological hack. They are partially immune to rattlesnake venom. Research led by Dr. Matthew Lewin and others has shown that the proteins in the squirrel's blood can actually neutralize the toxins in the venom.
They also use "infrared signaling."
When a ground squirrel confronts a rattlesnake, it pumps blood into its tail to make it hot. Rattlesnakes have pit organs that see heat. The squirrel wags its hot tail, basically "screaming" in infrared: I see you, I’m big, and I’m ready to bite your face off. Interestingly, they don’t do this for Gopher snakes because Gopher snakes can’t see heat. The squirrels actually know which type of snake they are fighting and adjust their "riding" and fighting tactics accordingly.
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The Misconception of "Friendship"
You’ll occasionally see videos on TikTok or YouTube titled "Squirrel and Snake Playing."
Don't believe it.
Reptiles and rodents don't "play." Their brains aren't wired for cross-species social bonding in the way dogs or humans are. If a squirrel is near a snake, it is either eating, being eaten, or defending territory. We tend to anthropomorphize these things because it makes for a better story, but the truth is much colder. It’s resource management.
When the Snake Wins
While the squirrel riding a snake makes for a great photo, the outcome isn't always a win for the mammal. Large constrictors or fast-acting venomous snakes often win the endurance game. A squirrel has a very high metabolic rate; it tires out fast. A snake is a patient hunter.
If the squirrel misses its "mount" and gets caught in a coil, it’s over. The snake will squeeze until the heart stops. Or, in the case of a rattlesnake, a single well-placed strike is all it takes. The squirrel might "ride" for a few seconds after being bitten, but the venom works quickly on such a small body.
How to Handle These Encounters if You See Them
If you’re hiking in the Southwest or even in a suburban park and you stumble upon a squirrel and a snake locked in combat, stay back.
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- Keep your distance. Both animals are in a high-stress state. A squirrel that is "riding" a snake is full of adrenaline and may bite anything that gets close, including your shoe.
- Don’t interfere. It’s tempting to "save" the squirrel. But snakes have to eat too. This is a natural cycle that has existed since before humans were walking upright.
- Watch the tail. If the squirrel's tail is fluffed up and wagging aggressively, it’s a sign of extreme agitation.
- Listen. You might hear the squirrel "barking." This is an alarm call to other squirrels in the area to come help or to hide the young.
The Science of Small-Scale Predation
Biologist Richard Coss has spent decades studying these interactions. His work shows that squirrels that grew up in areas with high snake populations are much better at "riding" and fighting snakes than squirrels from snake-free zones. It’s a learned behavior passed down through generations.
It’s basically a martial art for rodents.
They learn exactly where to grab, how to dodge the strike, and how to use their claws to gain leverage on the snake’s scales. It’s not a random scuffle; it’s a calculated tactical maneuver.
Actionable Insights for Nature Enthusiasts
If you want to understand more about these wild interactions or improve your wildlife photography, there are a few things you can do.
- Study Local Fauna: Check the "Common Wildlife" guides for your specific state. Knowing whether you have ground squirrels or tree squirrels will tell you a lot about the behaviors you’re likely to see.
- Invest in a Zoom Lens: If you want to capture a squirrel riding a snake, you need a minimum 300mm to 600mm lens. Getting close enough to use a phone camera is dangerous for you and disruptive to the animals.
- Look for "Mobbing" Signs: If you see a group of squirrels all staring at one spot on the ground and making a lot of noise, there is almost certainly a predator—likely a snake—in the grass.
- Contribute to Citizen Science: Use apps like iNaturalist to upload your photos. Researchers use these sightings to track how predator-prey relationships are changing due to climate shifts and urban sprawl.
The next time you see a photo of a squirrel riding a snake, remember you aren't looking at a fun afternoon. You are looking at a desperate, ancient battle. It's a reminder that even in our backyards, nature is incredibly raw and unapologetic.
To better understand these patterns, start by observing the squirrels in your own neighborhood. Watch how they react to different threats, like cats or hawks. You’ll start to see the "warrior" beneath the fluffy exterior. If you’re really interested in the biology, look up the research papers from the University of California, Davis, on squirrel-snake interactions—it's some of the most fascinating behavioral ecology out there.