Why do snakes need venom?

Question

some snakes are poisonous and some are non poisonous.

Answer 1

No snakes are poisonous, but some are venomous (venom is enzyme based and injected, while poison is ingested and is a fairly vague term). For snakes it's all about energy investment, and it's a tossup for them. they can use energy to physically kill their prey, or they can invest it in biologically producing venom to do it for them. From the snake's perspective, it is much quicker and safer to bite and wait it out rather than come in prolonged physical contact with a prey item that might fight back. Some snakes have toxins that immediately break down the tissues of the prey, aiding in digestion, though there are no cases to my knowledge of a species actually NEEDING to use their venom for digestion to take place... Venom is also used as a defense, but only as a last resort, as it is energetically costly to produce. Some snakes (including rattlesnakes) can give "dry bites" where no venom is injected.

Interesting side note, more species of snakes are venomous than previously thought. The only truly non-venomous snakes are Boids (boas and pythons), some rat snakes, and perhaps some others. Even garter snakes have been found to actually produce a mild venom, however in most cases the venom is not very potent and the snakes have inefficient means to deliver it, so snakes that were previously thought to be nonvenomous are still harmless. Iguanas, monitor lizards, and bearded dragons etc.. were also found to have a venom of sorts, and 1 enzyme complex (crotamine) isolated from bearded dragon "venom" had previously only been found in some rattlesnakes. The finding of venom in these lizards actually provides solid evidence for a common ancestor for all venom-possessing reptiles. Interesting stuff!!

Answer 2

Non-venemous snakes kill by a method called "constriction." The animal throws its coils around its prey and squeezes. The prey suffocates and the snake can then feed.

However, venemous snakes do not constrict, so they need another way to get their prey. Snakes will rarely eat rodents alive; can you imagine trying to swallow a struggling, wriggling, scratching, biting mouse whole with no way of holding it still? It's hard even for a snake. So they grab the prey and bite, injecting their venom. Then they release the prey and it shoots off - not realising there's venom in its system. Before long the animal will collapse and the snake can come along and feed.

By the way, "poisonous" is an incorrect term. The correct term is "venemous." Poison refers to an excretion of chemical, often through the skin, whereas venomation generally involves injection.

Answer 3

It depends on the type of food it eats. If a snake eats larger prey like rats or other small rodents then it will need more poisonous venom but if it is a insevt eating snake then it doesnt need very poisonous venom. Very large snakes dont usually need poisonous venom as they kill their prey by wrapping around them & squeesing them to death after which they devouer them.

Answer 4

Some snakes swallow their prey whole, and some poison it to paralyze it or instantly kill it so that their prey can not escape. Also, in some species, the venom helps the snake to digest its food.

Answer 5

the non poisonous snakes can sometimes constrict their enemies, while the poisonous ones just poison their enemies.

Answer 6

Its a means of self defence at times of danger, to ward off predators, and sometimes to paralyse their prey.

Answer 7

*** a posion against enemies and to catch food

Answer 8

defensive mechanism and to hunt prey. also to digest their food.

Answer 9

To kill their prey.

Answer 10

so they dont get stepped on or attacked protection