Having venom injected into the bloodstream and swallowing venom are two entirely different situations. It's pretty commonly known that humans can swallow snake venom with no ill effects, as long as that human doesn't have ulcers or any other way for the venom to directly enter the bloodstream. Venom is just a complex series of proteins that are broken down in the digestive system just like anything else. So the fact that snakes can swallow it doesn't mean they are immune, as we certainly are not immune either. There have been numerous cases where a snake has bitten itself or another of the same species (and other species) and envenomatic symptoms have occurred. I have had a monocled cobra bite another of larger size and saw nearly immediate swelling. This swelling did subside over a period of a few hours, but the fact is that it was an effect of the venom. MsTT has posted picture documentation of a large Egyptian cobra she has (had?) that bit itself and caused a pretty nasty abcess that had to be removed. Maybe she could get on here and provide a better description of the actual case. Also, you can go to venomousreptiles.org and see an article written by Susan Hunter in which she describes an attempted mating of her rinkhals spitters wherein the male envenomated and killed the female during copulation. Anyway, hope this helps.
-Chance

[ Show Entire Thread ]