snakes

10.13.08

Evolution’s Most Effective Killer: Snake Venom

It’s a tremendously deadly weapon, refined over the course of more than 100 million years. It kills tens of thousands of people every year. And thanks to new research, it may soon be the basis for cures that save the lives of many more.

Posted 03.06.2008 at 6:52 pm 18 Comments

As predators, snakes are missing a few key attributes. They have no legs to chase down their prey, no paws to knock down quarry, and no claws to hold their victims. But none of these deficiencies matters much, because evolution has handed snakes the ultimate weapon: venom. With it, the several hundred types of venomous snakes can kill or debilitate before their victims escape.

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READ MORE ABOUT > science illustrated, science illustrated january/february 2008, snake venom, snakes

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