Apart from a few snake lovers, intruding snakes are something the majority of house owners want to avoid. Installing security outdoor lights is a good way to expose unwanted people hiding in the shadows around your home; however, the last thing you want to think of is the possibility that light attracts snakes. Some people have the opinion that light attracts snakes the same way it attracts other types of insects. But what is the truth in this matter? Are snakes attracted to light?
The answer is no! Snakes are not attracted to light in any way. Snakes are unique in that they do not respond to light the same way other animals or insects do. However, there may be secondary reasons why snakes may come around where there is light.
Reasons why snakes may be around well-lit areas
Snakes are not really attracted to light, but there may be secondary reasons why you may see snakes around lit areas at night.
1) Source of heat
If you see snakes around a lit area, it may be because of the heat emitted by the light.
Snakes are ectothermic, which means that they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. So on a very cool day with no other source of heat around, a snake will be attracted by the heat emitted by a light source. Absorbing heat helps them maintain their metabolic process.
2) Source of food
Snakes are attracted to potential prey. You will see them in any environment that attracts their prey. Light attracts some snake prey, like rodents and insects. Snakes are opportunistic hunters; therefore, they will take advantage of any available opportunity to catch prey, which includes hunting near a source of light.
Similarly, some species of snakes are attracted to the infrared radiation emitted by warm-blooded animals. So if you see these snakes coming around a light source, they are attracted by the warm bodies around the light source.
What time of the day are snakes most active?
There is no one answer to this question. There are different species of snakes, and they all have different activity patterns. What determines what time of day a snake is most active depends on the snake’s species and environment.
Some snakes, such as arboreal snakes, are most active during the day, but others, such as desert-dwelling snakes, are more active at night when temperatures are cooler.
Generally, we can say that the majority of the commonly encountered snakes are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, when temperatures are most conducive to their metabolism. It is crucial to remember, however, that this can vary based on the species and locality.
Do snakes prefer darkness or light?
Snakes do not have any particular preference when it comes to darkness or light. Typically, snakes need both a dark and a light cycle. Because they are ectothermic, they will need the heat from sunlight to regulate their body temperature. They also need darkness to rest. Continuous light will confuse them, and it may make them stressed.
This is the reason why snakes are found in a range of settings, including tunnels, burrows, and under rocks, as well as in open locations with plenty of light.
However, depending on their natural behavior and prey availability, certain snake species are more active during the day, while others are more active at night. For example, diurnal (daytime) snakes, such as some colubrids and vipers, may prefer to bask in the sun and hunt during the day, whereas nocturnal (nighttime) snakes, such as some boas and pythons, may prefer to hunt and bask at night.
Final thoughts.
Light does not attract snakes. However, a snake may be found in well-lit areas for so many other reasons. Snakes need both a dark and a light cycle in order to maintain their health and function properly. A lack of this may make them feel stressed.
