does anyone know what causes the snake bite reflex to still take action even after the snake has been killed or even the head been cut off. any help about this would be much appreciated since google is annoying me with it at the moment
much thanks
hayley
2007-11-04 01:34:06 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Got me. It must be a fairly simple reflex, rather that requiring heat-sensitive pits. I once got bitten by a fresh-killed snapping turtle head as I was trying to clean the skull. No heat-pits there. I may have touched the wrong part of the mouth, sort of like a gag reflex, maybe.
2007-11-04 02:37:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would expect oikos to be right - both defensive and offensive bites would be significanrtly faster if they were triggered reflexes than if they were brain-mediated reactions. As long as the nerves and the muscles were still functional to some degree, you would expect the reflex to work.
2007-11-04 11:15:53 · answer #2 · answered by John R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey
Apparently:
"One theory is that the pit sense organ triggers an automatic response to temperature difference for some period of time after the head has been removed from the snake."
according to
http://www.active.com/mountainbiking/Articles/Rattlesnakes_-Fact-or-Fiction_.htm
Hope that helps, email any q's
Ashley
2007-11-04 09:40:49 · answer #3 · answered by Ashley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋