What substance in a water snake's saliva makes their defensive bite cause wounds to bleed profusely?
Answer
An anticoagulant
The saliva of a water snake contains an anticoagulant, a substance that inhibits blood clotting, leading to the wound bleeding heavily after a defensive bite.
Related Questions
What is the meaning of the Greek root word *Nerodia*, the genus name for water snakes?What reproductive strategy do water snakes employ?What substance in a water snake's saliva makes their defensive bite cause wounds to bleed profusely?How do adult water snakes often appear compared to juveniles regarding their dark banding?Which characteristic pupil shape is typically found in water snakes, differentiating them from pit vipers?If severely threatened, what is the maximum recorded time a water snake might remain hidden underwater?What specific beneficial ecological function do water snakes perform regarding the health of fish populations?In terms of size, how does the general body dimension of female water snakes compare to males?Which of the following is listed as a preferred basking spot for water snakes near the shoreline?When does parental care cease for water snake young after they are born?