Python venom is a complex mixture of proteins that can have both hemotoxic and neurotoxic effects on its prey. Hemotoxins primarily damage tissues and cause internal bleeding, while neurotoxins block nerve signals in the body, leading to paralysis. Most snake venoms are a combination of these two types of proteins, with the specific mix varying among species and even among different populations of the same species.
This complexity can lead to confusion and misunderstandings about the effects of snake venom on its prey. A snakebite may be dry or minimal in some cases, causing no immediate symptoms, while in others it can be severe and potentially fatal.
The venom’s effects on the prey are primarily used for prey capture, but it also serves as a defense mechanism when the snake is threatened or provoked.