Snakes are carnivorous, they do not eat fruits. Their venom is not dangerous if ingested, as stomach acid destroys it. This poison is fatal only when mixed with blood. Hence the notion of death due to snake bite is a myth.
There are hardly any other animals with as many stories and fears as there are about snakes in our society. Especially those who work in fields or gardens, there is always a big question in their mind – “If a fruit or vegetable is bitten by a snake, can eating such things kill us?” Let us get complete information about what science and health experts say about this.
1. Do snakes eat fruits?
First and foremost, according to biology, snakes are completely carnivorous creatures. Their diet consists of rats, frogs, lizards and small birds, not fruits and vegetables. When a snake is hungry, it does not bite any fruit. If tooth marks are seen on any fruit, they are most likely to be those of a bat, squirrel or bird. Therefore, it is wrong to think that snakes bite fruits.
2. What is the difference between ‘Venom’ and ‘Poison’?
In science, poison is considered to be of two types. The poison of a snake is called ‘Venom’. It becomes dangerous only when it gets mixed directly into our blood. That is, when a snake bites, the poison (Snake Venom) from its poisonous teeth reaches directly into the body tissue and blood veins, which poses a threat to life. At the same time, ‘Poison’ is that which causes harm by eating or touching it. Snake venom does not fall in this category.
3. The Power of Gastric Acid
Even if we assume that there were a few drops of snake venom on some fruit and a human ate it, there is no need to panic. As soon as that poison reaches the stomach, the very strong hydrochloric acid (HCl) present in our body neutralizes it. Snake venom is actually made of protein. Just as we digest the protein present in food, similarly stomach acid also digests snake venom. Its poisonous effect ends even before it enters the blood.
4. When can danger occur?
Even after eating snake venom, there can be danger only in one situation – if a person has mouth ulcers or any wound in the digestive system (Stomach Ulcers). In such a situation, poison can directly enter the blood through those wounds. Moreover, for a healthy person, there is no danger of snake venom entering the body through food.
Keep these things in mind to stay safe
Cleaning: Before using any fruit or vegetable, wash it thoroughly in running water at least 2-3 times.
Test: Do not use fruits that are severely damaged or have strange animal bite marks on them.
Cook: It is best to eat vegetables thoroughly cooked. Any bacteria or poisonous substance is destroyed at high temperatures.
the real thing
It is completely a myth that eating a fruit bitten by a snake leads to death. However, from health and hygiene point of view, it is better not to eat fruits bitten or spoiled by any animal or bird. This article is for general information only. If you have any health problem, consult a doctor immediately.