Squirrels Use “Snake Scent” to Fool Predators

Posted on December 18th, 2008 by Wildlife Luver, under Snake Venom.

Today I came to know about an interesting behavioral pattern of the California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) and rock squirrels (Spermophilus variegates).

Actually young squirrels are the favorite dish for rattlesnakes. In order to suppress their odor from rattlesnakes, these tiny creatures chew on old snake skin and smear it on their fur. This behavioral pattern was noticed by Barbara Clucas, a graduate student in animal behavior at the University of California, Davis.

This act of application of sloughed-off snake skin is considered to be a perfect defensive package of squirrels against rattlesnakes. The snakes get persuaded that another snake, not squirrel, is in the area.

Rattlers and other snakes usually prey the pups (Squirrel young one) and females while they fall asleep in the night. Mostly the adult squirrel won’t get affected by the snake poison as the blood proteins of them contains immunity against snake venom.

Another study confirms that squirrels are not only limited to the use of snake skin, they get used to take the snake odor from surfaces (tree branches, tree hole, etc) and soil, where the snakes have been resting.

So, the squirrels are turning the tables on the snakes. These squirrels are really wiser than enemy,,,

No Comments

The Hidden Facts of Snake Venom

Posted on December 1st, 2008 by Wildlife Luver, under Snake Venom.

Many species of animals have the capacity to produce venom. The venom has a passive defensive function in frogs, toads and salamanders, in which the venom glands are distributed in the skin. The venom reaches the highest development in snakes and is a weapon for capturing prey, for defense and also a digestive aid.

The venom glands are actually specialized salivary organs and inoculation of the venom is through the canalized or grooved teeth. The salivary secretion of the harmless snakes is equally effective against their prey species. The venom not only immobilizes the prey but aids the subsequent digestion of animal tissues. snake venom is a mixture, chiefly of proteins, varying in composition from species to species. Studies so far undertaken indicate that the biological significance of snake venom is primarily in their digestive role.

Snakes cannot chew and mix the products of their salivary glands with the tissues of their prey. Instead, they use a highly developed injection apparatus to apply digestive aids to their food.

These powerful and concentrated enzymes are extremely poisonous. For instance, the lethal dose of Russel’s viper venom for a rabbit in the body, compounds in the poison break down the connective tissues and destroy blood vessels, causing the spread of erythrocytes and serum into the tissues.

Necrosis at the site of a bite is due to the digestive properties of snake venom. A non-toxic component of the snake venom, not always present, liberates proteolytic enzymes into the victim’s body and hastens putrefaction.

No Comments