18 Jul 2013
What Viper Venom Does to Blood
Russell's Viper
The snake providing the venom is a Russell’s viper, Daboia russelii.
Category Archive 'Russell’s Viper'
18 Jul 2013
What Viper Venom Does to BloodRussell's ViperThe snake providing the venom is a Russell’s viper, Daboia russelii. 20 Jul 2012
How Viper Venom WorksNatural History, Russell's Viper
Vipers kill their prey using hemotoxic venom, which essentially turns their victim’s blood into plastic. Solidified blood causes pain, massive swelling, paralysis, and necrosis in extremities, and when hemotoxic envenomation reaches the vital organs, death typically ensues. This is what happens when a single drop of venom from a Russell’s viper (the deadliest Asiatic viper) is dropped into a petri dish of blood. Hat tip to Karen L. Myers. Feeds
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