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RE: fumblefingers - Re: off-topic tiger snakes



Tigers do need all that toxicity.
 
1. Notechis spp. do take comparatively large, active prey if available 
(seabirds, ducklings, rodents) although prey preference varies among different 
populations/subspecies (mainland pops. taking a greater proportion of 
frogs/peninsular and insular pops. taking more warm blooded prey).
 
2. Tigers are cool-temperate snakes that are preferentially active in cold 
temperatures (generally become nocturnal during summer). As a poikilotherm in 
such conditions, they cannot afford to engage in an extended struggle.
 
Dunno if any research has been done on toxin resistance of their frog prey.
 
________________________________

From: owner-DINOSAUR@usc.edu on behalf of B tH
Sent: Thu 17/09/2009 8:29 PM
To: dinosaur@usc.edu
Subject: fumblefingers - Re: off-topic tiger snakes




The tiger snake is one of the most venomous snakes of all, correct?   Yet from 
what has been said of their diet, it hardly seems necessary for them to be so 
toxic.  Any speculation on why they evolved in such a MANNER, or has their diet 
only (relatively) recently changed? 
 
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