Venom is a common survival tool in nature. Bees use it to defend the hive. Spiders, shrews, and snakes use it to catch dinner. Some venoms do little more than sting a person; others can kill. Many people assume every venomous snake is deadly, and that is simply not true. Animals also tend to use venom only when they have to, because making it costs energy. Reptile venom is a mix of proteins and other molecules, sometimes a few kinds and sometimes dozens. The recipe is different for every species. It can even differ between two snakes of the same species, and it can change as one snake grows from baby to adult.
This lesson is part of Certified Junior Herpetologist. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 30 hours).
