Snakes are usually known for their unique reproductive strategies. Unlike mammals, many snake species lay eggs as a means of reproduction. Usually, this adaptation allows for the development and hatching of their offspring outside the mother’s body.

The female snake lays eggs underground in sand or loose soil. This is because the soil acts as a natural incubator. In most cases, after snakes are done laying the eggs, they abandon them. However, for the sake of a cobra or a python, the females do not abandon the eggs; instead, they stay until the eggs are hatched.

4 Reasons Why Snakes Lay Eggs in Hidden Places

Here are four reasons that make snakes lay eggs in covered and hidden places:

1. Helps In Incubation

When snakes lay eggs in warm sand, soil, or underground, they usually do this to incubate the eggs properly. The warmth tends to make the eggs hatch properly with no issues.

2. Helps in Keeping the Snakes Safe

Snakes lay eggs in hidden places for safety measures. Typically, when the eggs are hatched in enclosed places, there are minimal chances that the hatched ones get bothered by the enemies. That, in turn, makes the snakes grow in a tranquil environment.

3. For Insulation Purposes

Do snakes lay eggs in the ground?

Yes, snakes lay eggs in the ground. In some scenarios, snakes dig up holes with their tails to lay their eggs there. The main reason for this is insulation.

For proper hatching, the places where the eggs are kept should be properly insulated for better results. 

4. To Protect the Interior of the Egg

Female snakes will often lay eggs in warmer areas to protect the inner contents of their eggs. Eggs laid in warmer places result in the hatching of healthy snakes with fewer or no complications. Thus, the reason why snakes lay eggs in hidden places.

How Often Do Snakes Lay?

Most snakes lay a single clutch of eggs per year. Snakes usually lay eggs between two weeks and a month after mating.

The number of eggs the snake will lay depends on various factors, such as snake species. For instance, small snakes lay between ten and thirty eggs in a single clutch. On the other hand, large snakes may lay up to a hundred eggs.

Do Snakes Stay Around Their Eggs?

Yes. Snakes stay around their eggs. However, not all snakes stay around their eggs. Oviparous snakes, to be precise, usually abandon their eggs after they have laid. In most cases, the hatched snakes never get a chance to see their mothers.

Most young snakes are able to hunt and feed themselves once they hatch. This is why most snakes abandon their eggs since they know that their young ones will survive in their absence.

Would a Snake Lay Eggs in a House?

Yes. A snake would lay eggs in a house. Snakes are well known for fitting into small spaces. They usually prefer small places because they act as protective zones for them.

But where would a snake lay eggs in a house? There are three likely places where snakes may lay their eggs in the house.

These places include:

1. In the dark places of the home

2. Where there are holes

3. In the basement

Do Snakes Make Nests to Lay Eggs?

Yes. Snakes make nests to lay eggs. However, only one species of snake does that, and that is the cobra. Usually, other snakes will abandon their young. For the sake of this species, it will ensure that its young one is safe until it can be on its own.

2 Reasons Why Snakes Make Nests to Lay Eggs

1. To Hide From Predators

Safety is the most important thing to prioritize. Typically, a snake will always want to live in a safe environment, where the young ones are safe too. In that case, they will always build a nest from which the eggs will hatch. That is among the many ways that they hide from their enemies.

2. To Take Shelter

Shelter is always a basic need, not only for humans but also for some animals. In the case of snakes, they will always want shelter from different environmental conditions. In that case, they will want their eggs to be laid and hatched in a sheltered environment. That makes them build a nest.

What to Do If You Find Snake Eggs in Your Yard

Here are five different things to do if you find snake eggs in your yard:

1. Place The Eggs Back

The first thing to do when you find snake eggs in your yard is to place them back where you found them. While doing this, you mustn’t rotate the eggs since it may affect the young ones. Also, the eggs should be handled carefully due to their fragile nature.

2. Contact an Animal Welfare Organization

It is always very important to contact any organization that can handle snakes before taking action. It is always advisable to do so if you don’t know how to handle such things. By calling an expert in the given field, you will have positively impacted the life of the young egg.

3. Place Them in a Container

After you have spotted the eggs, you can always place them in a container for safety reasons. When the eggs are in the container, they are still more likely to hatch successfully. Also, you will have protected the eggs from other possible predators.

4. Cover the Eggs with Wet Tissue

Sometimes, the eggs might be cracked. Cracking does not mean that it may not be able to hatch. If you find a cracked one in your backyard, you should find the wet tissue and cover the eggs. 

This will help keep the eggs warm. When the eggs are left dry, there are minimal chances for survival.

5. Don’t Disturb the Eggs If You’ve Just Spotted Them

This is among the most important things to do. If there is nothing that can make you pick the eggs, you mustn’t carry the egg over and over, which may make you break the embryo, hence killing the young one. For safety reasons, you should avoid that at all costs.