why, typically, only small animals are venomous?
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Generally large animals can bring down prey without it so there’s no pressure to develop such an extra weapon.
There are a few exceptions like Komodos, who use bacteria analogous to venom in effect if not in detail.
Venom is a force multiplier, basically larger snakes have the power to overwhelm the opposition so don’t need to resort to venom.
Generally large animals can bring down prey without it so there’s no pressure to develop such an extra weapon.
There are a few exceptions like Komodos, who use bacteria analogous to venom in effect if not in detail.
Venom is a force multiplier, basically larger snakes have the power to overwhelm the opposition so don’t need to resort to venom.
Another way to look at it, is venom is a tool that allows a vulnerable organism to kill prey from a distance and/or quickly. Things like spiders and snakes are taking down prey that are as big, or bigger then they are. One quick nip and they can just sit around at a safe distance waiting for the prey to die/fall into a coma, then they come in and feed.
Alternative some of the most potently venomous and quickly-lethal creatures are sea creatures. This is partially for the reason above but also because it does the creature no good if their prey escapes before it dies or gets eaten by something else. So time is of the essence for sea creatures more so than something like a snake or spider. This is theorized why things like some sea snakes and snails and fish are just so wildly, rapidly lethal (or at least paralyzing) compared to terrestrial organisms, they don’t want their meals swimming away.
Another way to look at it, is venom is a tool that allows a vulnerable organism to kill prey from a distance and/or quickly. Things like spiders and snakes are taking down prey that are as big, or bigger then they are. One quick nip and they can just sit around at a safe distance waiting for the prey to die/fall into a coma, then they come in and feed.
Alternative some of the most potently venomous and quickly-lethal creatures are sea creatures. This is partially for the reason above but also because it does the creature no good if their prey escapes before it dies or gets eaten by something else. So time is of the essence for sea creatures more so than something like a snake or spider. This is theorized why things like some sea snakes and snails and fish are just so wildly, rapidly lethal (or at least paralyzing) compared to terrestrial organisms, they don’t want their meals swimming away.
Similar to guns, it is the great equalizer.
A small spider or frog or snake trying to take on a bigger animal without venom is akin to a 5ft tall, 100 lb female taking on a 6’4″, 250 lb guy on a fist fight.
Similar to guns, it is the great equalizer.
A small spider or frog or snake trying to take on a bigger animal without venom is akin to a 5ft tall, 100 lb female taking on a 6’4″, 250 lb guy on a fist fight.
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