Fierce Snake...or...Inland Taipan and evolution.

Factual Questions
1

I was reading about poisonous snakes today and I’ve read on a lot of webpages that the ‘Fierce Snake’ of Australia emitted enough venom in a bite to kill thousands of mice and hundreds of people. I’ve seen the Straightdope article on the issue http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpoison.html , but I’m wondering this. Why would a creature that hunts mice and other small animals, need that much venom to get a meal? Did I miss something, did snakes used to hunt in packs and kill buffalo?

-KN

2

Search is your friend. Almost exactly same question was asked a few months ago.

3

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=203969

4

Thanks for the Smartass answer. I do ‘believe’ I mentioned that I did a search…I even read Cecil Adams column about it. How about a link to a few facts next time you’re feeling generous?

I’ve been here a ‘few’ months too.
-K

5

Ok, I took that the wrong way. Thanks for the link. I hate searching sometimes because it seems to tax the server. Thanks for the factual answers. :slight_smile:

6

And I owe you a BBQ… :wink: