Random questions

[kentonio]

Why are venomous creatures more prevelant in hot climates? It's bugging me.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Because snakes are cold-blooded, and therefore don't do cold climates terribly well.

[giblets]

There might simply be more species in hotter climates...

[kentonio]

Because snakes are cold-blooded, and therefore don't do cold climates terribly well.

It just seems like even when there are spiders and snakes in colder countries too, they tend to be non-venomous or less venomous at least.

There might simply be more species in hotter climates...

I did wonder about that, in terms of whether the added competition caused the extra weaponry or something.

[Proteus_MST]

Maybe there is more abundance in species in tropical climates ...
which also means that there is more competition among predators
and more dangers (by predators) for natural prey.

Meaning that there is a bigger evolutionary pressure for the development of special weapons (like poison) for defense and offense


Or, in short:
In colder climates, the focus of most species is on fighting the environment (leading to the occurrence of furs and the like) ... whereas in warmer climates the focus of most species is on fighting other animals (leading to natural weapons specialized for this)

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

It's harder for small creatures to bite or sting through thick fur or blubber.

[ZEE]

This thrade has raised my IQ level by several numbers you guise!

[N35t0r]

I can agree with the selection pressure response

[Dauphin]

It just seems like even when there are spiders and snakes in colder countries too, they tend to be non-venomous or less venomous at least.

The only snake found in the Arctic circle (a viper) is venomous.

And venomous creatures in Australia are actually in the cooler south, rather than the tropical north.

[lightblue]

I think selective pressure plays a role but I don't think it is negative pressure on cold climate. The biomes with highest proportion of venomous creatures are deserts. Population densities of prey animals are low so you better make sure you kill it when it gets near. In jungles a higher proportion of snakes are constrictors and spiders use traps or specialised webs because there's a relative abundance of prey. There are obviously exceptions, before anyone comes back with one. One of these are poisonous frogs, but in this case it is a defence mechanism to protect against predation, and there are more predators in the rainforest.

The lack of poisonous animals in polar regions has more to do that no mammals (bar the platypus) or birds are poisonous. Reptiles and amphibians are selected against for other reasons as Bugs mentioned.

[kentonio]

The only snake found in the Arctic circle (a viper) is venomous.

And venomous creatures in Australia are actually in the cooler south, rather than the tropical north.

We have a poisonous snake in Britain too, but its a bit crap and you never see them.

[David Cameron]

The Speaker has ruled this question out of order - and I agree - there are far too many venomous creatures lurking in the Commons and Lords as it is. They need no exposure, a few of them do that anyway.

Some are quite scary, especially after a long lunch and trip to vaious estabishments in Mayfair and Soho.

I say better the public not know.

[Sava]

Why are venomous creatures more prevelant in hot climates? It's bugging me.

This is one question. Not "questions"

[I AM MOBIUS]

We have a poisonous snake in Britain too, but its a bit crap and you never see them.

I saw one.

Once.

[Sava]

I'll use a bigger towel next time
Sorry