What happens if a poisonous snake bites its lip?

Answer 1

It may help your understanding to know that a snake's "venom" glands are the equivilent of our saliva glands. In fact, we use ours the same way with a few details different; we have saliva not only to help food go down smoothly but to begin a sort of pre-digestion process. That is part of the function of a snake's venom also, same as spiders. Of course, we don't usually spit at or bite people and our saliva is not deadly to anything that I know of. (-:

But just as our saliva does not harm us, neither would a snake's venom harm it. I believe that they can be affected by other snake bites, but I'm not sure if that's just another species' bite or if another animal of their own species bit them if that would affect them.

And yes, it is impossible for a snake to bite its lip. (-:

Answer 2

Well there are several fallacies in the above answers.
It is not possible for a snake to bite it's own lip or mouth due to the way it's fangs are arranged.

Secondly, although many snakes such as the King Cobra are immune to venom, the cobra is not immune to it's own venom. That is why when two male cobras fight for mating rights, they do not bite at all. Instead, they wrestle.

Thirdly, most snake poisons only work when injected directly into the bloodstream. If it is injested, the stomach acids do a very good job of breaking down the poison. That is why snakes can eat their prey that died from their venom but not be affected afterwards.

Answer 3

Snakes are immune to the venom of their own species, and many are immune to the venom of other species. I have actually seen a Cottonmouth bite itself while grabbing at a flopping fish, with no ill effects at all. Non-venomous snakes that EAT venomous ones are also immune; a Kingsnake can be bitten many times by a Rattler and suffer no harm whatsoever. Scientists have discovered that many snakes' cells have special proteins which prevent the molecules of venom from attaching themselves to the cells, thus preventing any damage. And by the way, snakes DO NOT have "poison"(correct term is venom, not poison) "inside their bodies". The venom is manufactured within a pair of glands found inside the snake's head, one on each side, which are really modified salivary glands. This is the only place that venom is found in the snake's body, period. It is an absolute myth(and a stupid one at that)that the snake is full of "poison" and that every part of it is dangerous. (Quote from PitBullLady another Yahoo!Q&A person)

Answer 4

If a poisonous snakes bites its lip or any part of its self, nothing happens. They are immune to their own venom, as each snake, (even if same breed) has a different saliva etc.

How ever if they get bitten by e.g. a male or female of sma ebreed, they can get poisoned and die.

Answer 5

The puncture wound becomes infected and abscesses. Then the upper lip falls off and it dies from lack of food....OR it says "OUCH THAT WAS STUPID" and is more careful next time! In all actuality a snake cannot bite it's own lip. The teeth extend past the lower lip.

Answer 6

Worst case scenario, it makes a puncture that gets infected and it dies from the infection.

Snakes are immune to their own venom. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to eat the prey that they kill.

Answer 7

Snakes are naturally immune to their own toxins.

Answer 8

Nothing they are immune to there own poison.

Answer 9

And fortunately for snakes, they don't have lips.

Answer 10

Its not so much they are immune, its more that they have control of when they release venom from their venom glands.