The venomous mammals in nature are rare, because these animals shaped other methods of hunting for prey. An example would be males of the Australian spout, which have venomous spikes on the back limbs. However, venomous mammals also appear in Poland. River eyelash of venom found in saliva paralyzes the victim, thanks to which the animal can store the prey in a coma. However, this is not the only mammal, which, despite its small size, is better to be careful. It turns out that the saliva of velvet contains a dangerous toxin.
Third venomous mammal in Poland. What does velvet look like?
The velvet is a small mammal belonging to the most common mammals in Poland. It can be found throughout the country, both in the mountains and in central Poland, in forests, meadows and even home gardens. Most often it prowl in wetlands. It is small, weighs up to 14 grams, looks a bit like a mouse, although with a characteristic “snout”. It has a short tail and a gray or brown-gray-sauer feet, almost black in winter. He is also an extremely voracious hunger. During the day it can eat food with a total weight of up to 90 percent. Her weight, and she will die without food within a few or several hours. It feeds on insects, earthworms, spiders and snails, as well as carrion. Interestingly, it does not fall into winter sleep, but drastically reduces its size.
Although, as reported by portal.umk.pl, 400 years ago, Ryjówka became one of the heroes of the “history of the four -legged beasts” by Edward Topsell, at the sight of her rather hardly anyone would think that this is a dangerous “beast”. Meanwhile, Polish scientists from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań showed that this is Third venomous mammal in Poland (after the already mentioned frying of the property and the smaller tin). They tested saliva and detected a venom that damaged red blood cells. The research results were published in 2022 in the pages of “Zoological Letters”.
Is velvet -dangerous to humans? Watch out for a meeting
Toxins contained in her saliva (including Proenkefalin, Peptic -related Culicrein 1 and Lizozym C), as demonstrated by Polish scientists, cause hemolysis of frog erythrocytes. Under its influence, erythrocytes are destroyed, and hemoglobin goes to plasma. This, according to researchers, allows the snip to hunt for greater prey. The venom uses primarily to get food and storage.
Is velvet -dangerous to humans? Fortunately, it’s not dangerous. Her venom is relatively weak, and the animal itself is so shy that she will escape at the sight of a man rather than to attack. However, saliva can cause an allergic reaction. Meeting with an ryzork may be a bit more dangerous. The bite place can be numb and swollen for several days. If you notice it, remember that this animal is under partial protection.
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
