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Envenomation is the process by which venom is injected by the bite or sting of a venomous animal. [1]Many kinds of animals, including mammals (e.g., the northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda), reptiles (e.g., the king cobra), [2] spiders (e.g., black widows), [3] insects (e.g., wasps), and fish (e.g., stone fish) employ venom for hunting and for self-defense.
Venom is produced in a specialised gland (or glands) and is delivered through hollow fangs or a stinger in a process called envenomation. The main function of venom is to disrupt the physiological processes of the wounded animal through neurotoxic cytotoxic, myotoxic, or haemotoxic mechanisms. This can then help in certain processes such as ...
This can be explained by the snake's need to quickly subdue a threat. While employing similar venom expulsion mechanics, predatory strikes are quite different from defensive strikes. Snakes usually release the prey shortly after the envenomation allowing the prey to run away and die. Releasing prey prevents retaliatory damage to the snake.
A spider envenomation occurs whenever a spider injects venom into the skin. Not all spider bites inject venom – a dry bite, and the amount of venom injected can vary based on the type of spider and the circumstances of the encounter. The mechanical injury from a spider bite is not a serious concern for humans.
Envenomation symptoms begin with pain at the site of the bite, immediately followed by swelling of the affected extremity. Bleeding is a common symptom, especially from the gums and in the urine, and sputum may show signs of blood within 20 minutes after the bite. The blood pressure drops, and the heart rate falls.
In the wild envenomation occurs from intraspecific competition; whereby two slow lorises fight for mates, food or territory. Slow loris inflicted wounds are a major cause of premature death in zoo and wildlife slow loris populations, [26] often resulting in festering and necrotic wounds.
Snake antivenom is a medication made up of antibodies used to treat snake bites by venomous snakes. [1] It is a type of antivenom.. It is a biological product that typically consists of venom neutralizing antibodies derived from a host animal, such as a horse or sheep.
Although the reputation of these spiders is notorious and their venom does affect humans, only mature females are capable of envenomation in humans; their chelicerae—the hollow, needle-like mouthparts that inject venom—are approximately 1 mm, or .04 in. in length, making them long enough to inject venom into humans, unlike those of the much ...