Venom common, predates snake evolution

[Guest]

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s927762.htm

 

[Sdaji]

The story doesn't really say much, just that the venom, which is saliva, contains chemicals in common. In fact, we share proteins with venomous snakes, so you could argue that humans are venomous.

 

[Tommo]

and you guys didnt believe us when we said colubrids where venomous .

ive been following Frys work for afew months now and his discoverys are amazing. he is comming up to darwin next year so im very happy to say the least

 

[Sdaji]

I still don't. I think if keelbacks are venomous then so am I. I have saliva which contains compounds which destroy biological matter. If I bite you hard enough to break your skin some of my saliva will destroy some of your flesh.

 

[Tommo]

dont take it personally mate, no need to bite

 

[Sdaji]

heh

 

[Tommo]

venomous doesnt mean it effects people, it is only toxic enough to slow down a frog

 

[Sdaji]

well, the term "venomous" is at least somewhat arbitrary, but affecting people or frogs isn't the definition I'd use.

 

[moosenoose]

I've actually got a few emails from Bryan Fry, he seems a nice bloke and is always up for a chat. Trouble is he has sent me papers he's been working on, probably with the full knowledge that there is no way on earth I'd understand them LOL

....and yes Sdaji, we probably are considered venomous when you consider this; how does the Gila Monster deliver it's venom? I gather it doesn't have fangs as such, so is it just the saliva in the wound it creates? :roll:

 

[Sdaji]

I've been telling mum for years that any animals with saliva are technically venomous, including humans. This was just a way to dodge the question when she's asked if I have any venomous snakes It's funny that the topic is being looked at like this now

 

[Tommo]

lol, the papers are hard to understand, but after reading them afew times they start making sense

 

[Fuscus]

The Gila monster chews to deliver its venom, as does the BTS and (some) other colubribs. Now I have read that venom has evolved from three different sources (I think that Rick Shine says this but I could be wrong). Now it is possible that the delivery Apparatus has evolved three times, in colubribs, vipers and elapids. That does make some sense, we have the weapon, how to develop the armory.