what is the difference between TYPES of poisonous snakes?what is the difference between non poisionous snakes?
poisonous snakes, how are they different from other poisonous snakes
then
non poisonous snakes, how are they different from other non poisonous snakes?
The answer is provided by :
iturnrocks :
First off, snakes are considered venomous or non-venomous. Generally, a venom is defined as a biologic toxin that is injected to cause its effect while a poison is a biologic toxin which is absorbed through epithelial linings (either of the gut or through the skin). People eat rattlesnakes and are not killed because rattlesnakes are not poisonous.
There are three distinct types of venom that act on the body differently.
Hemotoxic venoms act on the heart and cardiovascular system.
Neurotoxic venom acts on the nervous system and brain.
Cytotoxic venom has a localized action at the site of the bite.
Proteroglyphous snakes
The effect of the venom of proteroglyphous snakes (Hydrophids, cobras, Bungarus, Elaps, Pseudechis, Notechis, Acanthophis) is mainly on the nervous system, respiratory paralysis being quickly produced by bringing the venom into contact with the central nervous mechanism which controls respiration; the pain and local swelling which follow a bite are not usually severe.
Vipers
Viper venom (Vipera, Echis, Lachesis, Crotalus) acts more on the vascular system, bringing about coagulation of the blood and clotting of the pulmonary arteries; its action on the nervous system is not great, no individual group of nerve-cells appears to be picked out, and the effect upon respiration is not so direct; the influence upon the circulation explains the great depression which is a symptom of Viperine envenomation. The pain of the wound is severe, and is speedily followed by swelling and discoloration.
Opisthoglyphous colubrids
Experiments on Coelopeltis, Psammophis, Trimerorhinus, Dipsadomorphus, Trimorphodon, Dryophis, Tarbophis, Hypsirhina, and Cerberus, have shown these snakes to be possessed of a specific venom, small mammals, lizards, or fish, being rapidly paralyzed and succumbing in a very short time, whilst others (Eteirodipsas, Ithycyphus) do not seem to be appreciably venomous. Man, it is true, is not easily affected by the bite of these snakes, since, at least in most of those which have a long maxillary bone, the grooved fangs are placed too far back to inflict a wound under ordinary circumstances.
Aglyphous snakes
Experiments made with the secretion of the parotid gland of Tropidonotus and Zamenis have shown that even aglyphous snakes are not entirely devoid of venom, and point to the conclusion that the physiological difference between so-called harmless and venomous snakes is only one of degree, just as there are various steps in the transformation of an ordinary parotid gland into a venom gland or of a solid tooth into a tubular or grooved fang.
Non-Venomous Snakes
A difference of non venomous snakes is the way they catch their prey. Constrictors kill their prey by cutting off air to the lungs every time the prey exhales until the prey can no longer inhale.
Most other non venomous snakes just grab their prey and swallow it alive.
