SnakeSnap

Daytona Reptile Breeders Expo 2025 🐍🐍🐍

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK 🐍🐍🐍

Some of our beautiful snake identification submissions from around the world!

Need a Snake Identified? Don’t Google and Guess!

SNAKESNAP IT!

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“Wait… Snakes Can CLIMB? 🐍⬆️🌳”

We’re used to watching our feet for snakes - but the ground isn’t the only place you can find snakes! Snakes can and will climb up trees, rocks, and even straight up brick walls. Not to fret though - snakes climb to seek out food like tasty bird eggs or to shelter in tree hollows - not to give you a scare.

Not all snakes are equal when it comes to climbing. Some, like the rat snake and green snake, are expert climbers. Water snakes will climb on branches above the water to catch some rays. Our venomous snakes, like rattlesnakes and copperheads, prefer to lay low. Luckily, the king snakes which are the natural predator of rattlesnakes, also prefer to stay on the ground with them!

Though it may be startling to catch a snake climbing, there is no need to fear. The vast majority of climbing snakes are nonvenomous. If you are lucky enough to see a snake climbing, take a moment to appreciate the skill it takes to scale a tree with no arms or legs!

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Great info on venom in the medical field!!

let's go into detail on snake venom in the medical field!
1. Captopril (Capoten)
-Use: Treats high blood pressure and heart failure.
-Source: Brazilian pit viper (Bothrops jararaca).
-How it works: Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), lowering blood pressure.
-Fun fact: This was the first successful drug developed from snake venom, paving the way for ACE inhibitors.

2. Eptifibatide (Integrilin)
-Use: Prevents blood clots during heart procedures like angioplasty.
-Source: Southeastern pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri).
-How it works: Blocks platelet aggregation by targeting glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors.

3. Tirofiban (Aggrastat)
-Use: Also used to prevent blood clots in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
-Source: Inspired by venom of the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus).
-How it works: Similar to eptifibatide prevents platelets from sticking together.

4. Batroxobin
-Use: Used in diagnostic tests and occasionally to treat blood clotting disorders.
-Source: Bothrops atrox venom.
-How it works: Promotes clotting by acting directly on fibrinogen, unlike thrombin.

5. Ancrod
-Use: Investigated for use in stroke treatment (now largely discontinued).
-Source: Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma).
-How it works: Breaks down fibrinogen, reducing the risk of clot formation.

6. Other Venom‑Derived Biotherapeutics (Non-Snake or Broader Venom Sources)
Although not from snake venom, these merit inclusion for context they’re from other venomous animals:
-Exenatide (Byetta®, Bydureon®): GLP‑1 receptor agonist derived from Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) venom; used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus
-Ziconotide (Prialt®): From a cone snail (Conus magus) approved for severe chronic pain, delivered intrathecally

7. Leech‑derived thrombin inhibitors:
-Bivalirudin (Angiomax®), Lepirudin (Refludan®), Desirudin (Iprivask®): used for anticoagulation, derived from medicinal leech venom; not snake but relevant in the same venom‑based therapeutics category.

8. Emerging experimental drugs derived from snake venom
-Mambalgins – Non-Opioid Painkillers
-Source: Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
-Target: Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) in the nervous system
-Effect: Strong analgesic effect without respiratory depression, addiction, or tolerance
-Status: Preclinical; identified in 2012 (Inserm, France); ongoing work to develop synthetic or modified analogs
-Potential use: Chronic pain, cancer pain, post-surgical pain
-A highly anticipated alternative to opioids.

9. Contortrostatin – Anti-Metastatic & Anti-Angiogenic
Source: Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix (southern copperhead)
-Type: Disintegrin (protein that binds integrins on cell surfaces)
-Effect: Inhibits tumor cell adhesion, migration, angiogenesis, and metastasis
-Preclinical success: Suppressed breast cancer metastasis in mice (MD Anderson research)
-Delivery strategy: Liposomal formulations to improve stability and targeting
-Not cytotoxic blocks spread rather than kills cells so it’s less harsh than chemo.

10. Salmosin – Tumor Angiogenesis Blocker
Source: Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus (Korean viper)
-Type: Disintegrin peptide
-Effect: Binds integrin on endothelial cells inhibits blood vessel formation (anti-angiogenic)
-Cancer models: Inhibited melanoma and glioma progression in mice
-Status: Experimental; explored for glioblastoma and other solid tumors

11. Echistatin & Derivatives – Integrin Blockers
-Source: Echis carinatus (saw-scaled viper)
-Target: Integrins involved in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis
-Variants: Used to create synthetic analogs for better pharmacokinetics
-Current role: Used as molecular scaffolds in cancer and cardiovascular research

12. Crotoxin – Dual Role in Pain and Cancer
-Source: Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American rattlesnake)
-Components: Phospholipase A2 + crotapotin (a stabilizing protein)
Effects:
Neurotoxic at high doses
-Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory at low doses
-Shown to suppress tumors and pain responses in animal models
-Potential: Adjuvant in cancer therapy, autoimmune diseases
-Status: Preclinical/experimental

13. Cardiotoxin (CTX) – Cancer Cell Apoptosis Induction
-Source: Naja naja atra (Chinese cobra)
-Effect: Induces apoptosis in liver, breast, and leukemia cells via mitochondrial pathways
-Challenge: High toxicity needs targeting or nanoformulations
-Research direction: Encapsulation in liposomes or antibodies for tumor selectivity

14. Snake Venom–Derived Nanoparticles
-Concept: Using venom peptides (like disintegrins or PLA2s) to coat or load nanoparticles that selectively bind to cancer cells
Goals:
-Reduce off-target effects
-Increase bioavailability
-Deliver drugs directly to tumor vasculature
-In progress: Multiple labs are investigating conjugates of venom peptides with gold nanoparticles or liposomes

15. Neurotoxins as Autoimmune/Neurological Modulators
-Venoms from elapids (e.g., cobras, kraits, mambas) contain α- and β-neurotoxins that interact with:
-Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
-Sodium and potassium ion channels
Emerging uses:
-Treating multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s via neuroprotective pathways
-Blocking autoimmune inflammation (very early research)

Summertime pool tips 🐍 💦

Now that the hottest days of summer are here, there’s no better activity than cooling off in the pool! But you are not the only one with that idea. Many wildlife species, including snakes, often end up in pools. Luckily, the snakes want to swim with you as little as you want to swim with them! With a little precaution, you can prevent wildlife from getting trapped up in your pool.

The sight of an animal in your pool is a common occurrence in the summertime. Numerous animals, including frogs, mice, birds, snakes, and even deer can end up in pools. They are attracted to the pool for the same reason we are - a refreshing retreat from the summer heat and for many animals a vital source of water. But unfortunately many of these animals fall in and can’t get out. These trapped animals often spend hours struggling at the water’s surface, and often succumb to exhaustion and drown.

This is where you can step into help! Wildlife species often get trapped in pools due to the elevated rim around the water. By implementing an animal escape ramp such as a frog log, animals can use these nifty devices to crawl out the pool and leave the water just for you. They are relatively cheap and can be bought online. But even without spending money there are still things you can do to discourage animals from hanging out around your pool.

Another thing that people often forget is that the pool’s water isn’t the only thing attracting animals. Items left around the pool, like noodles, skimmers, and floats can also attract small animals. A pool noodle hole is perfect place for a snake to crawl in, and they often find their way into skimmers as well. These items provide shade and shelter for snakes trying to escape the hot sun - and the snake can’t tell the difference between a tree log and a pool noodle. So remember to keep your poolside tidy as well!

Cheers 🐍🐍🐍

Don’t Google and Guess! SnakeSnap It!

Available in both App Stores!

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK 🐍🐍🐍

Some of our beautiful snake identification submissions from around the world!

Need a Snake Identified? Don’t Google and Guess!

SNAKESNAP IT!

Available in both App Stores!

Snake experts warn of encounters as temps rise, say development fueling more “The more educated you are, the less fear you have," said Jason Compton, CEO of the snake identification application SnakeSnap.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK 🐍🐍🐍

Need a Snake Identified? Don’t Google and Guess!

SNAKESNAP IT!

Available in both App Stores!

Great review from Jena... "I LOVE THIS APP
Don't care for snakes at all so when i run across one I like to know what i am terrified of,"

★★★★★ New Review for Snake Snap Inc by Jena "I LOVE THIS APP Don't care for snakes at all so when i run across one I like to know what i am terrified of,"