Snake venom has always been associated with danger and self-defense, but a recent study from Bangor University in Britain revealed that venom developed primarily as an effective hunting tool that helps snakes paralyze and digest their prey, and not as a weapon against animals or humans.
According to the study, the venom contains a mixture of toxins that target nerves, blood, or tissues, to make it easier for the snake to catch its prey quickly and efficiently. If the poison was intended for defense, the resulting pain would be immediate to deter predators, but most bites cause delayed pain, which supports the theory that the poison is intended for hunting and not confrontation.
The study included data from 368 people who were exposed to 584 bites from 192 species of snakes, most of which did not cause severe pain during the first minutes.
In less than 15% of cases, people felt immediate pain, while more than half of them did not experience severe pain at all. This delay in feeling pain indicates that the venom works slowly to paralyze the prey, not for immediate defense.
Evolutionary maps showed that toxins causing immediate pain appeared and disappeared several times over generations, meaning they were not necessary for the species’ survival, unlike toxins designed for hunting.
Although some species, such as the spitting cobra, have evolved to use venom for defense by spraying it into the eyes of enemies, these cases remain rare exceptions. As for most snakes, their venom is intended to secure food, not to attack humans.
Researchers confirm that understanding this fact dispels the common fear of snakes, as attacks on humans usually result from a feeling of threat or surprise, and not aggressive intent. Ultimately, poison is designed to serve survival, not attack.
