Unexpected effects of venom from super killer snakes

The blue coral snake's venom glands extend a quarter of its body length and can be used as a painkiller in humans.

The venom glands of the blue cobra extend a quarter of its body. Photo: Tom Charlton.

A research team concluded that the venom of the blue coral snake (scientific name: Calliophis bivirgata) could be used as a new painkiller in a study published in the journal Toxin, according to BBC.

The Blue Coral Snake is native to Southeast Asia and is a dangerous predator like the King Cobra. It is about 2 meters long with venom glands that extend a quarter of its body length. It has one of the most powerful venoms in the world, capable of instantly paralyzing its prey.

"Most snakes have slow-acting venom, which acts like a strong painkiller that makes you drowsy and then slowly dies. However, the venom of the blue coral snake works almost immediately because it often hunts dangerous prey that must be killed quickly before they attack again. That's why it is called the killer of killers," said Dr. Bryan Fry, University of Queensland.

The powerful effects of the blue coral snake venom could be used as a painkiller for humans. Snakes are vertebrates evolutionarily closer to humans, so drugs developed from their venom are likely to be more effective.

"The venom affects sodium channels, the body's pain transmission center. We can turn this ability into a painkiller that works better in humans," Dr. Fry explained.

The blue coral snake is the first vertebrate in the world to have venom that works this way. However, it is rare because more than 80% of its habitat has been destroyed.

“I have only seen two blue coral snakes in the wild,” said Dr. Fry.

He and colleagues plan to study relatives of this snake in Singapore.

"We're trying to find other traits in the blue coral snake family. Some people say a snake is only good when it's dead, but we want to prove otherwise," said Dr Fry.

According to VNE