Behavior[edit]
These snakes can decide how much venom to inject depending on the
circumstances. The most important determinant of venom expenditure is
generally the size of the snake; larger specimens can deliver much more
venom. The species is also important, since some are likely to inject more
venom than others, may have more venom available, strike more accurately,
or deliver a number of bites in a short time. In predatory bites, factors that
influence the amount of venom injected include the size of the prey, the
species of prey, and whether the prey item is held or released. The need to
label prey for chemosensory relocation after a bite and release may also play
a role. In defensive bites, the amount of venom injected may be determined
by the size or species of the predator (or antagonist), as well as the assessed
level of threat, although larger assailants and higher threat levels may not
necessarily lead to larger amounts of venom being injected.[7]
Prey tracking[edit]
The western diamondback rattlesnake Crotalus atrox, the venom of which contains
proteins allowing the snake to track down bitten prey
Hemotoxic venom takes more time than neurotoxic venom to immobilize prey,
so viperid snakes need to track down prey animals after they have been
bitten,[7] in a process known as "prey relocalization". Vipers are able to do this
via certain proteins contained in their venom. This important adaptation
allowed rattlesnakes to evolve the strike-and-release bite mechanism, which
provided a huge benefit to snakes by minimizing contact with potentially
dangerous prey animals.[8] However, this adaptation then requires the snake
to track down the bitten animal to eat it, in an environment full of other
animals of the same species. Western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus
atrox) respond more actively to mouse carcasses that have been injected
with crude rattlesnake venom. When the various components of the venom
were separated out, the snakes responded to mice injected with two kinds
of disintegrins. These disintegrin proteins are responsible for allowing the
snakes to track down their prey.[8]