The "Lets Not be Snake Food" Theory.

Interesting Theory. Just thought I'd share for those interested, as I don't want to be responsible for an evolution debate amongst our big happy herping family. :fim: I almost didn't post it for that reason, but I think it's a kinda neat idea that snakes may have helped make us what we are. :snake:

http://www.livescience.com/animalwor...e_primate.html

Here's a snippet from the article.
"An evolutionary arms race between early snakes and mammals triggered the development of improved vision and large brains in primates, a radical new theory suggests.

The idea, proposed by Lynne Isbell, an anthropologist at the University of California, Davis, suggests that snakes and primates share a long and intimate history, one that forced both groups to evolve new strategies as each attempted to gain the upper hand.

To avoid becoming snake food, early mammals had to develop ways to detect and avoid the reptiles before they could strike. Some animals evolved better snake sniffers, while others developed immunities to serpent venom when it evolved. Early primates developed a better eye for color, detail and movement and the ability to see in three dimensions—traits that are important for detecting threats at close range."

Evolution rocks! I love Discovery Channel and have recently watched two really interesting programs involving snakes.

One was showing a certain hot snake that over the years it's primary prey has developed a genetic immunity to that particular snakes venom. They put forth the theory that enough of these rodents got nipped but not killed that at some point they began to develop an immunity and were able to pass it on to their young. (sorry I wish I noted stuff down better as to which snake and which prey...it was some sort of rodent).

Then there was this interesting one about chimps that were completely zoo bred and raised. Never interacted with a snake in their lives but had an instinctive reaction and particular alarm call specifically for snakes. Yet they'd never seen a snake! They even reacted to rubber snakes as if they were live. A specific alarm call went out. The mother chimps took off with their young and the dominant male went over and poked at the rubber snake with a stick and reacted with obvious fear and apprehension....having never in it's life actually seen a snake but knowing exactly how to safely deal with one. How cool is that!

Man, some days I really wish I had cable! But this is why I usually love PBS :D

I saw a similar thing to the snake/rodent venom immunity except it was the opposite... like a poisonous frog or salamander (I don't remember which) that gets more and more poisonous as the local snakes grow more and more immune. Evolution in action! Chemical weapon arms race! Amphibians are the craziest with the arms race, I think. They adopt/change in relation to their environment so fast, it seems like!

I hadn't heard the chimp thing though! That's awesome. Snakes are so a part of everyone's psyche... myths, legends, nature, evolution... I've even read a theory once that the reasons cats hiss is to immitate snakes, because most animals are more intimidated by snakes than they are cats. (maybe this is why Tigers don't feel the need to hiss? lol!). I just love it. They're such special creatures, in every culture and environment. :love: Just amazing!

jo,

my hubby is almost positive it's a honey badger and a cobra.

;)
aleesha
ps my hubby is a walking encyclopedia :wuv:

Discovery Channel? Everytime I turn it on it's some dum cab show or American Choppers. What time do these evolution and animal shows come on (particularly snakes and arachnids)?

we watch a LOT of national geographic channel... great stuff on there :)

corwin's quest is usually pretty good.
venom e r is GREAT.
snake buster all on animal planet...

I know with National Geographic's website you can go through their listings and have them email you when a show you want to see if coming on. Maybe Discovery does the same or has online listing you can view. I just usually flick through and end up doing the "Mike come quick it's something on about snakes!!!!" thing LOL

I did a bit of research and apparently it's not that unheard of to become somewhat immune to venom. Here's a quote from a website on the Quail Ridge Reserve talking about this very thing.

"California ground squirrels have evolved immunity to the venom of western rattlesnakes. In populations sympatric with rattlesnakes, adults are relatively immune, while juveniles and populations outside the range of rattlesnakes are susceptible to venom."

I know it wasn't ground squirrels on that show so it seems another rodent has figured out how to get around the predators in their lives at least to some degree.

The really funky part of this chimp thing is if you believe in Darwin's theories and the fact that we share so much genetic similarities with chimps, there are those that say our fear of snakes comes down from that instinctive reaction. Basically a racial memory concept. Who knows...just kind of interesting.

Not that I disagree with frankykeno's comment about Darwin's theories being a possible reason for humans' instinctive fear of snakes, you also have to take into account that there was a significant risk to early humans who settled mainly in the Nile river valleys which were tropical and did (do, still, lol) house venemous snakes in the form of snakes, which possibly could have added to the probably already present instinctive fear of snakes. A cow or buffalo will jump if you make a rattling sound near it even if it's never seen a rattlesnake or a snake of any sort before, after all, because of the evolution of rattles on rattlesnakes to warn buffalo not to step on them. I don't think it really takes all that long for a species to develop a life preservational instinct, does it?

Of course, I'm not arguing--just butting in to add that...I believe in Darwin's theories, I just like discussing this kind of thing. ^-^; saw this thread and it looked interesting. *science nerd?*

Very likely, but an animal will tend to spook at almost ANYTHING that it isn't familiar with...even the mundane stuff like keys or a plastic bag. That's why good saddle horses have been "sacked" out with aaaaaaall sorts of different things to help make them "bomb proof".



But I loooooove Discovery and NG!! Robin and I have a collection of their videos and DVDs.


R.