Venom is a fairly common mechanism in nature that animals use to help them survive. Some animals use venom in a defensive role (e.g., bees) and others use it to help subdue prey (e.g., spiders, shrews, and snakes). Many types of venoms cause little more than a stinging sensation in humans, while others are potentially lethal. While many people assume that any venomous snake is deadly, that is not an accurate assessment. What’s more, animals that employ venom tend only to use it when necessary, as it requires energy to produce. Reptile venoms are simple to complex mixtures of proteins, peptides, and small molecules.
This lesson is part of Certified Herpetological Guide. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 50 hours).
