Reptile venom has long intrigued biologists who study genetic alterations and their subsequent impact on evolutionary adaptation. However, until recently, the notion that snake rear fangs could be deadly to humans seemed laughable.
게코도마뱀The bite of the black mamba, for example, can cause death without treatment. Thankfully, modern medicine is improving this situation, but it remains a serious problem for many people.
What is Venom?
Snake venom is a complex mixture of enzymes and proteins that interfere with vital physiological systems. It is a key ingredient in the killing of prey and the protection of the reptile from predators. The study of reptile venom falls under the field of toxinology, and multiple pharmaceutical products have been developed from its compounds.
All snakes kill their prey, except for those with no fangs like a garter snake, by injecting venom. They have a gland in their head that produces the liquid, which they deliver via their hollow needle-pointed teeth, called fangs. When a snake bites, muscles in its head squeeze the venom gland and push it out through the fangs into the victim. 게코도마뱀
The venom has various compounds that cause pain, nausea, bleeding, swelling, tissue destruction and death. The neurotoxins cause muscle spasms and nerve damage, while the hemotoxic compounds kill blood vessels and destroy tissue cells.
Some scientists have proposed that all reptiles, including nonvenomous snakes and lizards like the gila monster and beaded lizard, descend from a common venomous ancestor. However, other researchers have found that snake venoms are more similar to those of lizards than those of snakes, and therefore that these two groups probably evolved their venom independently. The venom of the Black Mamba is the most potent, but other snakes also produce poisons capable of causing serious harm to humans.
Why Do Snak 게코도마뱀 es Preserve Their Venom?
Venom serves two main purposes: it helps snakes overpower prey and it acts as a form of self-defence against predator species. Venom also varies widely across different snake species. This is due to a combination of contingent evolutionary histories, lineage-specific processes (e.g., gene duplication and loss, rate of evolution) and direct selection on the ecological deployment of specific toxins.
In fact, snake venoms contain 50-100 different proteins that can alter blood pressure, prevent blood clotting and paralyse nerves. This makes them extremely dangerous for any predator that tries to take a bite.
Interestingly, snakes have evolved antibodies to protect themselves from their own venom and they break down the venom in their stomach before they eat it. This is why most snakes do not die from their own bites.
Snakes conserve their venom because they use it to kill and digest prey and they also need it for self-defence. However, research suggests that most snakes do not need to use their venom when fighting with other members of the same species for territory or mates. The reason is that they know that their venom won’t provide them with an advantage in these fights, so they prefer to use their brute strength instead. Despite this, some snakes do use their venom when fighting with other animals that are not members of their own species. This is most likely because they have inherited genetic changes that allow them to repel a neurotoxin in their rivals’ venom.
How Do Snakes Inject Venom?
In order to inject venom, snakes use hollow fangs that act like hypodermic needles. Muscles in their head squeeze the venom glands and push the liquid through these hollow fangs when they bite prey or humans. This venom is then injected directly into the flesh. In most cases, however, snakes don’t need to use their venom. Snakes are typically quite shy and will only strike if threatened, or when their other defense mechanisms fail. It’s this last resort, of course, that creates the unmistakable rattle sound.
While snakes can inject venom with their fangs, they also have the option of “dry bites,” where no venom is injected at all. This usually happens when a snake is trying to defend itself from an attacker, or even when it’s just curious about something nearby.
The venom is typically injected into the victim’s body via nerve endings. The venom acts as an effective pain killer, and it also destroys muscles, tissue, and cells. This process is called necrosis, and it can lead to a wide range of symptoms from mild to life-threatening.
Many people may ask, “Are snakes immune to their own venom?” The answer is yes. But snakes only have immunity if they’ve been bitten by another snake of the same species that was also venomous. They do not have immunity against venom that is inflicted through the stomach, or when they bite prey that was injected with venom by the same snake.
What Are the Symptoms of a Snake Bites?
The most common symptoms of a snake bite include pain, throbbing, and swelling. The pain can be sharp and burning or aching. The bitten area can swell up and turn red. You can also have a headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness. If you have a serious reaction to a snake bite, the symptoms can be deadly. It’s important to get medical help right away if you think you’ve been bitten by a venomous snake. A doctor can diagnose a snake bite and tell you whether or not you need antivenom. Antivenom is a treatment that contains antibodies against the venom of a certain snake. It can prevent severe illness and even death.
A patient who is bitten by a cobra, krait, or mamba should be moved beyond striking distance and kept as calm and still as possible to slow the spread of venom. The bitten limb should be loosely immobilized with a splint or sling. Ice packs, rubbing the bite open, making incisions, or trying to suck out the venom can make the situation worse. It’s also important to avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine, which can interfere with blood clotting and increase the speed of venom absorption.
A person who is bitten by a boomslang (Dispholidus typus) or twig snake should call triple zero and be transported to the hospital immediately. They should be immobilized with a splint and kept as calm as possible. Rings and watches should be removed to reduce the risk of swelling. A tourniquet should only be used if it can prevent exsanguination (blood loss from the bitten limb).