Snakes make venom in the same way that people make saliva. As
a human’s mouth may get dry if there is not enough saliva, this
also happens to the snake. They will not really run out of venom
since they are able to make more, but it will take time. The
venom is produced and then stored in the glands found at the
head of the snake.
The venom is found in many types. There is the venom that will
paralyze some parts of a nervous system that are in charge of
heart and breathing activity, while others will destroy the
tissue and blood. The venom is first used to subdue the prey.
When the victim has been paralyzed, the snake may swallow it.
When venom is meant to immobilize a prey, a venomous snake may
rely on strong bites in order to achieve its objective.
The venom of the snake is produced internally, contrary to the
poison of dart frogs and some of the sea creature that will
acquire toxins from the food that they are eating. The snake has
different glands in the head and other places where the toxic
secretion happens. The production of the venom will vary
depending on the season, and it will take around a month to be
replenished when it has been used. The production of the venom
will increase during summer and it will reduce during winter and
autumn. Some snakes like the viper have more venom and they will
inject more in the victim, while others produce less venom and
they inject less in the victim.
The venom of the snake is a modified type of saliva that is used
to defend against the threat. It is injected using the fangs and
there are some snakes that can spit it. The glands that make the
venom have the alveoli, and this is where the venom will be
stored before it is sent to the victim using the duct found at
the base of the tubular and channeled fans through which it has
to be ejected. The poisonous snake does need venom in order to
immobilize the prey and also to defend itself. In order to avoid
injury from the bites or the claws of large prey, the snake will
try to immobilize their prey as fast as possible using venom.
Since the venom is hard to make, the snake may be careful of how
and when they use their venom.
For more information about whether snakes run out of venom, go
to my Snake
Removal - How to Get Rid of Snakes home page.