How Come Snakes Don't Poison Themselves

[bednobs]

when they eat prey that they killed with their venom?

[woofgang]

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/questions/question/1913/

[Old_Geezer]

Venom isn't the same as poison so digesting it may not be an issue. But even if it were a poison as well as a venom, evolution tells you that any creature that happened to be born with a venom that they aren't immune to it isn't going to last long enough to breed the next generation, so doesn't stick around long enough to be noticed.

[excelsior-1]

i'm just glad that humans are not venemous

i bit my tongue yesterday

[wildwood]

Many venomous snakes are eaten by mammals. As above... the protein is destroyed by the digestive juices. Scorpions are also eaten mainly be mongooses but the sting is bitten off and left because it will probably scratch the esophagus on the way down.

[society]

I read that snakes get their poison from frogs. I've also heard that people eat frogs. As far as people not being poisoned from eating frogs, is it the same concept as poisonous snakes eating their prey?

[wildwood]

^^ Generally, I believe poison is toxic when ingested or taken up through the skin. In order for venom to be dangerous it needs to be taken up in the bloodstream. As always, there are some exceptions.

There are many types of venom and have a different result. Venomous snakes are born/hatched with the same toxic venom as an adult and it is only the smaller amount they inject that is significant.

I don't think frogs are poisonous, but toads are. The cane toad, foolishly introduced into Australia, has caused the death of many Native animals.

[wildwood]

Drat. Meant to say that 'Apart from the South American species, I don't think frogs are poisonous' ...

[ykyung]

NO because the Venom is already running through him and that would just be him putting it back into his body

[joggerjayne]

Snakes poisoning themselves when they ate anything would be such an ...

... Evolution #fail