Shocking Facts About Snakes You Should Definitely Know

SciShow・2 minutes read

Sea snakes are diverse marine reptiles, evolved in the Pacific, facing challenges to reach the Atlantic due to temperature and hydration issues. Some snakes, like the tiger keelback, possess both venom and poison used for defense and predation, with potential implications for anti-venom development and understanding venom effects.

Insights

  • Sea snakes, despite their diversity, do not inhabit the Atlantic Ocean, with yellow-bellied sea snakes being the only potential species to reach it but facing obstacles due to temperature requirements and hydration issues.
  • Snakes like the tiger keelback possess both venom and poison, using them for defense and predation, with the poison containing bufadenolides causing various health issues, and some snakes have evolved strategies to counteract their own venom, potentially aiding in the development of better anti-venoms.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How do sea snakes drink water?

    Sea snakes drink rainwater from the ocean's surface due to their inability to drink saltwater.

  • What is the potential route for sea snakes to reach the Atlantic?

    The Panama Canal provides a potential route for sea snakes to reach the Atlantic, but breeding populations are unlikely.

  • How do snakes obtain their poison?

    Tiger keelback snakes acquire their poison from toxic toads they consume, passing toxins to their offspring through eggshells.

  • How do snakes counteract their own venom?

    Some snakes produce proteins that inhibit venom enzymes, potentially aiding in the development of better anti-venoms.

  • What are the effects of snake venom on humans?

    Venom from snakes can cause hemorrhaging, blood clotting issues, and excessive bleeding, potentially leading to death if not treated with anti-venom promptly.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Sea snakes face obstacles reaching Atlantic.

  • Sea snakes are diverse marine reptiles, with almost 70 species, but none inhabit the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Sea snakes evolved in the Pacific, particularly the Coral Triangle, over the last 2.5 million years.
  • Yellow-bellied sea snakes are the only species that could potentially reach the Atlantic, but face obstacles due to temperature requirements.
  • Sea snakes drink rainwater from the ocean's surface due to their inability to drink saltwater.
  • Sea snakes face challenges in reaching the Atlantic due to temperature and hydration issues.
  • The Panama Canal, opened by humans, provides a potential route for sea snakes to reach the Atlantic, but breeding populations are unlikely.
  • Snakes have sponge-like mouths that allow them to drink water through capillary action.
  • Snakes' expandable mouths evolved for eating prey whole, aiding in drinking water.
  • Anti-venom is created by injecting animals with venom to produce antibodies that neutralize toxins.
  • Tiger keelback snakes possess both venom and poison, using them for defense and predation.

14:04

Snake Venom: Effects, Evolution, and Treatment Options

  • Venom from snakes can cause hemorrhaging, blood clotting issues, and excessive bleeding, potentially leading to death if not treated with anti-venom promptly.
  • Snakes typically do not want to bite humans, reserving their venom for prey, with the tiger keelback using nuchal glands to release a toxic yellowish pus when threatened.
  • The poison from the tiger keelback contains bufadenolides, causing pain, cornea damage if in the eyes, tissue irritation, and heart problems if ingested or inhaled.
  • Tiger keelbacks acquire their poison from toxic toads they consume, passing toxins to their offspring, who absorb them through eggshells, enabling them to defend themselves upon hatching.
  • Snakes, like the tiger keelback, modify toxins from toads chemically to enhance potency, potentially making other related species with nuchal glands poisonous as well.
  • Some snakes have evolved strategies to counteract their own venom, such as altering receptor proteins to repel toxins or adding sugars to block toxins from reaching their targets.
  • Certain snakes produce proteins that inhibit venom enzymes, like phospholipases, which can prevent blood clotting and cell death, potentially aiding in the development of better anti-venoms.
  • While most venomous snakes are not a danger to themselves due to built-in defenses, some snakes lack these protections and can succumb to their own venom, highlighting the variability in venom effects.
  • Oral toxicity of venom differs from injected toxicity, with some evidence suggesting that venom toxins can be harmful when ingested, though further research is needed to determine the safety of drinking snake venom.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.