The Learning Zone

[MasSalvaje]

I too have (rarely) had reactions to garter bites but I always assumed it was enzymes or bacteria in the saliva that I was reacting to. If so, does it really qualify as venom?

Yep, Stefan already added this stuff but here is a source.

venom (věn'əm) Pronunciation Key
Any of various poisonous substances secreted by certain snakes, spiders, scorpions, and insects and transmitted to a victim by a bite or sting. Venoms are highly concentrated fluids that typically consist of dozens or hundreds of powerful enzymes, peptides, and smaller organic compounds. These compounds target and disable specific chemicals in the victim, damaging cellular and organ system function. Snake venoms, for example, contain substances that block platelet aggregation (causing bleeding) and that prevent the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings (causing muscle paralysis). Many substances contained in venoms are under investigation for use as pharmaceuticals.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.

*Bold added for emphasis*

-Thomas

[Stefan-A]

Two names that to search for: Wolfgang Wüster and Bryan Fry. For an opposing view: K.V. Kardong.

Personally, I think that Wüster and Fry have the best insight at the moment.

[ConcinusMan]

Yep, Stefan already added this stuff but here is a source.



*Bold added for emphasis*

-Thomas

Well jeez, when you put it that way, many "harmless" snakes are venomous by that definition.

No it's no surprise to me that those rare instances of reaction was when I was feeding concinnus and they mistook my finger for food. They got quite a bit of chewing in on me and broke plenty of skin. Same goes for the racer bites but I wasn't feeding them, they're just mean when you catch 'em and like to chew on me.

[MasSalvaje]

Well jeez, when you put it that way, many "harmless" snakes are venomous by that definition.

And lizards also!

To humans maybe, but they evolve what will best work on their prey. Just because it it is harmless to us does not nulify the fact that it has a powerful effect on its prey items.

-Thomas

[Stefan-A]

http://news.discovery.com/animals/sn...dinosaurs.html

THE GIST:

• A new species of prehistoric snake fed on baby dinosaurs.
• A recently analyzed fossil shows the moment at which the snake was about to strike a hatchling titanosaur.
• The massive snake lived during the Cretaceous and endured into early human history.

[gregmonsta]

Snakeosaurus rex

[Stefan-A]

Snakeosaurus rex

I believe that title has been earned by Titanoboa cerrejonensis.

[drache]

when I read "giant", I kind of expected something bigger than 11.5'

[Stefan-A]

when I read "giant", I kind of expected something bigger than 11.5'

Agreed. But it's just a news story, they don't know any better.

[ConcinusMan]

when I read "giant", I kind of expected something bigger than 11.5'

Me too. I was kinda disappointed. I was thinking they were going to say more like 40 feet.