How Many Types of Snake Venom Are There?!

You all probably know that some species of snakes are venomous, but there's more to it than that, as there are different types of venom as well! Eons ago, snake venom originally was a type of saliva used to break down the snakes prey before it reached it's stomach. Over many thousands of years their saliva become more and more powerful and adapted into the venom we know today that is used to paralyze and kill a snake's prey. Currently there are roughly 3,971 species of snake worldwide, but only about 600 of these species are venomous, with approximately 200 species that can seriously harm or even kill a human!

Now that we have talked about how snakes became venomous and their respective population numbers, now it's time to learn about the different types of venom.

Hemotoxic Venom

This type of venom was developed to affect the cardiovascular system, causing internal bleeding and organ degeneration. The venom destroys red blood cells, disrupts blood clotting, and can damage organs and tissue, injuring blood vessel walls. Even with prompt treatment, the victim can still lose an affected limb. Specific species that are known to have this type of venom are Saw Scaled Vipers, Cottonmouths, Copperheads, Russel's Vipers, to name a few.

Neurotoxic Venom

This particular venom targets the nervous system, including the brain. It may cause paralysis of key organ systems, such as the respiratory system, by interfering with the transmission of nerve signals. This results in paralysis by blocking communication between nerves and muscles, essentially preventing muscles from contracting and leading to respiratory failure. Species exhibiting this type of venom include Elapids (cobras and their relatives) some rattlesnakes, and sea kraits.

Cytotoxic Venom

This venom has a localized action at the site of the bite. Cytotoxic venom causes severe pain edema (fluid retention), bad blistering, apoptosis (cell death) and necrosis (tissue death). The venom works through mechanisms that disrupt cell membranes and vital cellular functions, essentially 'poking holes' in the cells and causing them to break down. Black Necked Spitting Cobras, other cobras, and Puff Adders are some of the species of snakes that utilize this type of venom.

Myotoxic Venom

This venom targets the muscles. It directly damages the cell membranes of muscle fibers, leading to their breakdown and death (necrosis), causing severe pain, swelling, and potential muscle dysfunction at the bite site. This venom may also cause disruption of blood vessels, leading to internal bleeding and further tissue destruction. Myotoxins are less common in serpent physiology but it can be found in some rattlesnake species, specifically the Prairie Rattlesnake and the South American Rattlesnake, sea snakes, the European Puff Adder, and more.

It is fascinating how snakes, not just the venomous snakes, have evolved over many generations to be such persistent hunters, using venom, speed, and ambushing skills to thrive. We hope understanding more about snakes and their venoms will be helpful to interact and admire these amazing creatures. They are an important piece of our ecosystem and a vital part of the animal kingdom that need to be both admired and protected. Stay tuned for more amazing facts on The Brothers Wild blog!