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RE: why are reptiles so poisonous?
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by GREGLONGHURST on April 11, 2004
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Technically, they are not. They are venomous. Venom is a substance that must enter the body via inhalation or injection to cause harm. Poisons cause harm orally or topically. Venomous snakes use their venom to secure prey. Some are indeed supplied with a toxicity that is stronger than needed. Most are set up just about right. One reason for the added strength of some venoms is that some prey animals have the ability to become nearly immune to the venom over several generations to allow their survival. Some snakes have venoms that are specifically designed for certain prey. Cobras that prey on toads have a venom that is not as effective on rats.
I hope this answers your question. ~~Greg~~
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RE: why are reptiles so poisonous?
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by Viper_Boy on April 11, 2004
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I don't know how to word this correctly, but here it goes............
There are several reasons why reptiles are so poisonous, but evolution plays a key factor in this. Snakes evolved from lizards, and they could catch their prey faster. They could also see the prey over weeds. They evolved to lose their legs and burrow to catch more prey. They could no longer see over weeds as their legs shrunk into their bodies. Their bodies elongated, but some slowed down as they got bigger. The prey also got faster. They then evolved to have pits to see the prey through thick grass or to sneak up on them in pitch black conditions. They often couldn't find the prey because it cooled off before they could see it with their pits. They needed to kill the prey faster to find it quicker. So they evolved to have more potent venom. This is not the most professional entry on the site, but it should pretty much cover your question.
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RE: why are reptiles so poisonous?
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by azazel418 on May 10, 2004
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Try catching a flying bird, without using legs or arms, and there's one way to try to put yourself in the snakes "shoes". the previous posts are very much what I would have said, very good answers to your questions.... evolution. some use it in defense, almost all use it to secure food. Some snakes developed huge muscles, like Boas, some adapted toxic "saliva" that overpowers, and aids digestion of the prey. The type of venom defines its purpose. Neurotoxic, to disable the prey, hemptoxic, to aid in paralysis, and for digestion. Most venomous became defined in evolution due to hostile environmental conditions. Harsh weather, fast moving agile prey etc...Only posionous reptile (actually amphibian) I could think of is poison dart frogs, which excrete a toxic gel to protect from being eaten..
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