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Scientists believe snakes can detect subtle vibrations, electromagnetic changes, and gas emissions in the earth’s crust before an earthquake
Historical accounts from China, Indonesia, and India show erratic snake behaviour before deadly earthquakes (News18 Hindi)
As the ground shook violently in Russia‘s Kamchatka Peninsula this week following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake, the world watched the devastation unfold. But some creatures may have sensed it before any human instrument did.
Snakes – cold-blooded, ground-dwelling, and often elusive – have a long, eerie association with earthquakes. Several studies, along with historical eyewitness accounts, suggest that snakes display strange behaviour before major seismic events. And in some cases, they even abandon their winter hibernation to flee their burrows hours before disaster strikes.
Why Snakes React Before Earthquake
Snakes live underground, often buried 30 centimetres to a metre deep in cracks and burrows. Some species, like king cobras and rattlesnakes, go even deeper during winter, up to 3 metres below the surface. These subterranean shelters, known as ‘hibernacula’, protect them from cold and predators.
But this very habitat may also make them early detectors of geological unrest.
Scientists believe snakes can detect subtle vibrations, electromagnetic changes, and gas emissions in the earth’s crust before an earthquake. These signals are too faint for humans to notice, but for snakes, attuned to ground movement and temperature, they’re a call to flee. In the hours or even days before an earthquake, snakes may emerge from their burrows, act erratically, or slither about in confusion. Some are seen in freezing conditions when they should be in deep hibernation.
A Pattern Across Continents
In China’s Haiyuan County in 1920, one of the most chilling examples of this phenomenon occurred. Just hours before an 8.5-magnitude earthquake that killed over 2,00,000 people, thousands of snakes reportedly came out of the ground despite freezing temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius. Locals described seeing snakes slithering across icy roads, an impossible sight in normal conditions.
Another deadly quake struck Tangshan in 1976, claiming around 2,40,000 lives. Once again, the day before, herds of snakes were spotted emerging from their burrows. Officials at the time noted unusual behaviour not only in snakes, but also in fish and dogs. That incident spurred Chinese researchers to explore whether animal behaviour could be used as an earthquake early warning system.
Similar reports came from Indonesia in May 2006 when a 6.3-magnitude quake rocked Yogyakarta. Villagers said large numbers of snakes emerged at night, some even trying to enter homes, a behaviour they had never seen before.
In India, after the catastrophic Bhuj earthquake on Republic Day in 2001, locals in Gujarat noticed an unusually high number of snakes in the open. Some were later seen in relief camps and temporary shelters. A few bite incidents were reported, likely due to the destruction of underground habitats. The same pattern repeated during the Nepal earthquake in 2005.
After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which followed a massive earthquake, health officials in South Asia also reported a spike in snakebite cases, likely caused by disturbed burrows and displaced wildlife.
What Science Tells Us
There is no doubt that animals, particularly reptiles, are more sensitive to changes in their environment than humans. Snakes, in particular, are capable of picking up low-frequency vibrations and may even detect electromagnetic pulses generated by tectonic movement.
Some researchers argue this ability could be harnessed as a natural early warning system. But turning snake sightings into a reliable forecasting model is difficult. While the link is scientifically plausible, it’s not entirely predictable; snakes may also surface for other reasons, such as flooding or sudden temperature changes.
Still, their behaviour has been consistent enough across multiple major earthquakes to warrant attention. In many of the world’s deadliest quakes, snakes appeared before tremors, emerging from their hidden lairs in a strange, desperate search for safety.
Post-Quake Danger
After an earthquake, the danger from snakes doesn’t disappear. With burrows destroyed and habitats disturbed, snakes often seek shelter in the open – under debris, inside homes, or near makeshift tents. At night, they may be difficult to spot. Relief workers and displaced people sleeping outdoors are advised to take precautions. Several snakebite cases have been documented in post-quake camps, where barefoot movement or turning in sleep can trigger a bite.
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