Snake venom can be poisonous to anything it bites. But are there any animals that are immune to their venom?
The animals that are immune to snake venom include the opossum, mongoose, king snake, honey badger, and hedgehog. These specific animals have evolved to be immune to venom or have a certain molecular structure that doesn’t allow the venom to kill the animal.
This article will discuss these different animals, as well as how they can withstand the venom from certain species of snakes.
1. The Opossum
The opossum is a nocturnal marsupial with a medium-sized body and large jaws with long, sharp incisors. It’s an incredible animal because they have an immunity to venomous snakes, like pit vipers and rattlesnakes.
Opossums can prey on these venomous snakes due to their biological makeup.
They produce peptides that don’t allow the venom to affect their bodies and are so efficient at neutralizing the toxins from snake venom that scientists use them in their research to create antivenoms.
2. The Mongoose
The mongoose is a small mammal that resembles a weasel or a meerkat. They might be small with short legs, but they make up for their size in other ways.
Mongooses are incredibly quick on their feet and have powerful jaws and sharp claws to help them catch and kill their prey. They hunt and consume venomous predators, such as the king cobra.
When tangling with these highly venomous snakes, the mongoose stands its ground and dances around the cobra until it can get its mouth around the head of the snake to crush its skull.
Fortunately, the mongoose can endure a few strikes from its opponent with minimal damage because the mongoose and the snake share a similar protein molecular structure. The mongoose still needs to proceed with caution when standing off with the cobra.
Although the mongoose is a worthy adversary, too many bites from the snake would prove fatal for this lean mammal.
3. The King Snake
The common king snake is a nonvenomous, constrictor-type snake that originated in North America that resides throughout the United States and certain parts of Mexico. The name implies its ability to prey upon other snakes, including venomous species.
There are some venomous snakes that the king snake can be bitten by with limited side effects, including the following species:
- Rattlesnakes
- Cottonmouths
- Copperheads
- Pit Vipers
The reason king snakes can kill and consume these venomous snakes is that, over time, their enzymes have altered to prevent the snake venom from linking to the king snake’s cells.
This adaptation is beneficial, but this progressive change pertains only to where the king snake is native. Should a king snake come across a venomous snake from a different region, it may not be so fortunate in a fight.
4. The Honey Badger
The honey badger is a fierce mammal that looks similar to a skunk, but they’re in the same family as the weasel. These stout animals hardly back down from an encounter with another predator, no matter how ferocious it may be.
Their natural characteristics, such as their thick skin, gives them an advantage in a grapple with another animal, which can make it difficult for snakes to penetrate the honey badger’s skin. On the occasion that one does get through, there are certain deadly snakes that the honey badger can withstand the injection of its venom from that, including:
- Puffer Adders
- Cape Cobras
- Black Mambas
Young honey badgers cannot tolerate the strikes from these snakes and their elders at first. They need to practice battling with some less lethal animals before they can go head-to-head with one of these venomous snakes.
Because the honey badger starts with something less venomous while young, their bodies can adjust their molecular composition to the intensity of the toxins these snakes emit over time. With the gradual change to this structure, it can handle being bitten and injected with venom from some of the world’s most dangerous snakes.
5. The Hedgehog
The hedgehog is a small mammal easily recognized by the spines they have all over its back. This stocky animal confronts and ultimately is victorious with venomous snakes. As impossible as it may seem, these little creatures are not afraid to go up against these predators if it means they get a meal out of it.
Spines on the hedgehog allow them natural protection against some fatal snakes, such as vipers.
In addition to their spines, hedgehogs are born with certain proteins in their bodies that allow them to be bitten multiple times with minimal damage. These proteins help to neutralize the effects of the venom in their bloodstream.
With this natural armor inside and out, these animals have the upper hand in the battle with the viper.
Even with this built-in protection, the viper might still be triumphant. Should the hedgehog receive a blow to a fleshy part of its body, the snake’s fangs alone could do enough damage without the help of its venom.