Why might a defensive bite from *Crotalus oreganus* result in no venom being injected?

Answer

Venom production is metabolically costly for the snake

The snake does not always inject venom when biting defensively because producing venom is metabolically costly, leading to occurrences known as 'dry bites.'

Why might a defensive bite from *Crotalus oreganus* result in no venom being injected?

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Species spotlight: Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)

venomhabitatanimalserpentRattlesnake