Unlike most animals’ weapons — like claws, horns or teeth — snake venom is in a perpetual race with the defenses of their prey. Snakes upgrade their venom; rodents and amphibians upgrade their ...

As many as 137,000 people die from snakebites every year. Venom from snakes can cause internal bleeding, attack the nervous system, and even stop the heart. Making anti-venom is an expensive ...

In a remote corner of India, the Irula tribe has preserved an extraordinary tradition. From a young age, children learn the dangerous yet crucial skill of extracting venom from some of the world’s ...

He feeds spitting cobras, handles puff udders, and helps black mambas reproduce. He also cleans a cage that hosts two 20-inch pythons. His biggest interest is in the ones with the sting of death; the ...

Sometimes medical breakthroughs can come from unexpected places. Tim Friede, a snake enthusiast in the United States, spent nearly two decades injecting himself with increasing doses of snake venom.

Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Immunologist Jacob ...

Stuart Ainsworth receives funding from United Kingdom Research and Innovation and the National Centre for the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of Animals in Research. Camille Abada receives ...

Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) is found across the Indian subcontinent and is responsible for over 40% of snake bite-related deaths in India each year. Its venom is extremely variable, and snake ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. While only about 10 percent of the roughly 4,000 known snake species ...

Scientists have uncovered a startling split in the venom of Australia’s Eastern Brown Snake. In the south, bites cause rock-solid blood clots, while in the north, they trigger flimsy clots that ...