Do wild snakes drink water, how often? Do they like to be around water for other reasons?

Question

Would they want to eat a medium size housecat?

Answer 1

Snakes get the majority of the water they need from their prey, and drink seldom - one would certainly not visit your garden regularly just to drink. Some species, such as those which live in deserts, never drink at all. Some species like to be around water, for example the grass snake here in the UK - frogs are one of its favourite foods, and it's common around ponds. There is no native snake in North America that could swallow a cat, but venomous species like rattlesnakes could certainly kill a cat if biting out of self-defence. I doubt your cats would be too afraid of a snake to go outside, though - the common reaction of cats to snakes is curiosity, not fear. I would think it more likely that you have a mammalian visitor to your garden - possibly a coyote, since your cats are afraid of it (cats rarely fear smaller animals, like foxes for example. My cats have chased foxes out of my garden numerous times!). Coyotes have been known to kill cats and small dogs.

Answer 2

Yes. they do drink water. just like you and me. some snakes like to be around water more, and some less, but they all have to drink sometimes. They often like to soak to help them shed too. And, unless you are talking like a huge python, most native snakes can't down a cat. a kitten maybe.