01-23-2005, 07:20 PM
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I was turned into a Newt...... but I got better.
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If I remember correctly I read that it is actually their saliva that contains the toxins and not true venom glands.
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Close, but a little backwards. They do have true venom glands, they don't have true fangs. The "fangs" are not hollow or grooved, just enlarged. And you are correct that the venom enters the body through the saliva via the punctures of the enlarged teeth and that these fangs are used primarily for puncturing toads. My understanding is that the venom is not IN the saliva (as is with Garters), but is excreted into the saliva during an envenomation. Since the only envenomations that I have come across have been feeding responses rather than defensive bites, it stands to reason that the venom is for use in securing and/or digesting prey. As you alluded to, the prey is sometimes swallowed alive. So my theory is that the venom may aid in neutralizing the bufotoxins found in their favorite prey, toads. But I have not read anything to support that. Just a theory.
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