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  • Snake venom;

This means that all snakes had an equal evolutionary opportunity to become venomous. That not all snakes developed sophisticated venom delivery systems suggests that being highly venomous is not always the most efficient way for a snake to secure a meal. There are no herbivorous snakes, but venom is not the only way that snakes can subdue their prey.

Many snakes use constriction, as dramatically demonstrated in the recent battle between a python and crocodile in Queensland. Some snakes simply rely on powerful jaws while others feed on defenceless prey such as eggs, so have no need of any additional deadly method of subjugation. The majority of snakes in this country are members of the Elapidae family, which means they have fixed fangs at the front of their mouths, and all are venomous.

Like all elapid snakes, the common ancestor of modern Australian species would have possessed a sophisticated venom system capable of delivering a complex cocktail of toxins into potential prey animals. Australian elapid snakes are extremely diverse in ecology and prey preference: Some are marine specialists, while others prefer eggs. Despite the opportunity this diversity represents to study venom ecology, the majority of venom research has focused on large species that are potentially dangerous to humans.

As these species are typically generalist feeders, this research has given us little insight into what has shaped the venom in the other species. A popular theory in the past was that snakes simply evolved the most toxic venom possible in order to kill quickly any potential prey they might come across. But recent research is revealing a strong correlation between prey preference and venom composition.

Why some animals have venoms so lethal, they cannot use them

This extends to species with strong shifts in prey preference throughout their lives — if babies and adults specialise on different prey types, they may have different venoms. At the molecular level, individual toxins have been identified that are fold more toxic to natural prey than to laboratory organisms such as rodents. The evidence suggests that snakes evolve venom that is fine-tuned for the specific context in which it is used.

Why then is the inland taipan so toxic when it targets solely rodents?


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The precise answer to this question awaits further research, although it is possible to indulge in thought experiments. In nature, taipans need to kill their relatively dangerous rodent prey quickly, before it escapes or has a chance to retaliate. Living in a harsh, arid environment also means they must conserve resources, so they likely deliver only a tiny fraction of the contents of their glands each time they bite a prey animal.

Snake evolution in Australia

Pets in Victorian paintings — Egham, Surrey. The history of pets and family life — Egham, Surrey. Available editions United Kingdom. The inland taipan is world famous for its venom.

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Jackson , The University of Queensland. Most venoms contain a lot of enzymes. These enzymes can be split by the proteases in your stomach. So if they don't have any effect before reaching your stomach, they will probably digested like any other protein. There are poisons which affect only certain cells in the digestive system, so injecting them probably would not have any effect or it can have a completely different effect.

There are toxins which have the same effect from both ways. You probably heard of botox injections The effect can vary by delivery method as well.

Venom Versus Toxin (Eddie Brock) - Complete Story

Injected can mean subcutan , intravenous, etc It depends on the dose as well. I think MattDMo is right, the question is too broad because there are many different poisons and venoms and delivery methods. By clicking "Post Your Answer", you acknowledge that you have read our updated terms of service , privacy policy and cookie policy , and that your continued use of the website is subject to these policies. Home Questions Tags Users Unanswered.

Is poison venomous and is venom poisonous? David 6 1 2. This wikipedia link might help you understand the difference. I am fully aware of that.

Venom - Wikipedia

Guys the real answer is that venom is poison,venom is just a name of a poison that comes from reptiles and insects. So venom and poison are the same,they differ in powers. According to the Wikipedia article on venom , Venom is a form of toxin secreted by an animal for the purpose of causing harm to another. The article goes on: However, a toxin is a poison , and poisons are defined by wiki as substances which cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism.

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