Snake Borrows Toxins from Toad

Tue Jan 30 17:47:27 -0800 2007
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A snake in Japan which is born non venomous gradually accumulates a store of venom which it uses in a unique way to help defend against predators. It accumulates the toxin from hunting poisonous toads and absorbing the poisonous chemical from their skins and using the inflated toxin stored gland in a defensive display.

ed: odd in a fascinating way...

"Vipers are born with a poisonous bite they can use for defense. But what can nonpoisonous snakes do to ward off predators? What if they could borrow a dose of poison, perhaps by eating a toxic frog and recycling the toxins?"...more there