venomoid question

[snakeguy101]

I know there is a lot of controversy on this subject but putting all of that aside, I always wondered how a venomous snake could survive without its venom. I have been under the impression that the venom contains enzymes that help to break down and digest the food so without it, they would not be able to properly digest.

Any ideas? Am I mistaken?

 

[Noto]

You know, I hadn't considered that issue. However, from my limited experience with hots it seems they do not need venom for digestion; a copperhead that has learned to eat dead mice does not envenomate them first.

Now, if you were to de-venom a spider, you would have some real trouble.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

You're thinking of arachnids...

 

[gigas12]

Hi,I agree with you sg101,I think the mouse will be bitten in the process of being eaten and envenomated to some degree.

 

[swede]

I really never thought of it, but if you think about it, most reptiles will digest food slowly anyway. Thats why snakes will not need to eat as often as other animals. Also, heat is essential to the digestive process in all reptiles. many times when they are basking, this is when food is being broken down, sometimes literally rotting in their digestive systems. I would think that similar to other reptiles, venomous reptiles would have similar digestive tracts that release enzymes to slowly breakdown the food. They are able to gain more from their food as far as nutrients go since they do not digest food as quickly as most other animals do.

 

[swede]

The main risk i would think is the risk of live feed such as rats having enough time to bite/fight back, causing injury during the feeding process. The snakes venom is mostly for paralyzing its prey

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

That's why you either feed prekilled or thump your mice/rats beforehand. Not that I condone venomoids. But any live food should be thumped before letting your snake at it, especially rats.

 

[swede]

That's why you either feed prekilled or thump your mice/rats beforehand. Not that I condone venomoids. But any live food should be thumped before letting your snake at it, especially rats.

Yeah and most snake handlers ( lets hope that anyone pursuing a venomoid or venomous snake would know this) know this. If live food is fed, it must be eaten immediately or removed since this is a huge threat to your pet and totally preventable. I doubt many people even bother with keeping live feeders for herps anymore.

 

[coura]

Also dont forget many snakes can eat dead animals they found in the wild so its not odd for them to not kill with poison

 

[Brooklynella]

I know there is a lot of controversy on this subject but putting all of that aside, I always wondered how a venomous snake could survive without its venom. I have been under the impression that the venom contains enzymes that help to break down and digest the food so without it, they would not be able to properly digest.

Any ideas? Am I mistaken?

Snake venom is modified saliva so it does start to "Break down" food once it is injected. The snake is still capable of digesting food without it though.