Did you know that many "harmless" snakes have tiny fangs in the back of their mouths? Do not panic. This is not a reason to run from every snake you meet. Venom is everywhere in the animal kingdom. Ants, bees, and spiders all have it. Scientists have found that a lot of snakes we call harmless actually make a mild venom of their own. There is still a lot to learn, but the best guess is that the small back fangs and mild venom help these snakes with hunting. The fangs may help grip and move prey, and the venom may help calm it down.
This lesson is part of Certified Junior Herpetologist. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 30 hours).
