Can You Eat a Venomous Snake? Myth vs Reality

In survival situations, we hardly have many choices regarding the selection of meat or produce. It’s normal for days to go by without finding a good game, such as deer, wild goats, or even a rabbit. That’s why people often wonder, whether you can eat a venomous snake or not.

Yes, you can eat a venomous snake in a survival situation.

Venomous snakes are entirely digestible, but preparation and cooking require a cautious approach.

Desperate times call for desperate measures and consuming snake meat can provide your body with vital nutrients needed for survival.

Out in the wild, we usually hunt or pick out wild vegetables and fruits to replenish our body’s nutrition requirements.

In fact, snakes are commonly consumed across the world, dead and alive.

Keep reading to learn more about eating a venomous snake!

Eating Venomous Snakes

Snakes are a vital part of several cuisines worldwide, including Thai, Pan Asian, and Vietnamese cuisines.

But hunting a snake in the wilderness and preparing an actual meal is strikingly different from consuming snakes in restaurants.

Does that mean that you can still eat a venomous snake?

Yes, as previously mentioned – you can definitely make a meal out of a poisonous snake.

The venom in snakes is surprisingly digestible and commonly consumed.

You can even eat the entire head, which hosts the venomous sacs.

However, there are several risks that come into play, which is why a cautious approach is instrumental.

As the venom passes through your body, any cut or open wound in your mouth or stomach can create complications.

The wound will allow the venom to penetrate your bloodstream and inflict grave damages.

But if you don’t have any cuts or open wounds, then go ahead and roast a venomous coral snake.

Hunting Snakes in the Wilderness

Spending days without food in the wilderness has a dramatic impact on our eating habits and priorities.

Even the pickiest of eaters are likely to have a change of heart after days of meat deprivation.

Normally, the thought of eating reptiles, poisonous snakes, and snake eggs makes an average person flinch.

But once you expand your gastronomic exposure, you’ll find that reptile meat is unbelievably delicious.

If you’re an avid adventurer, you must have heard mountaineer stories about eating frogs, snakes, and even venomous scorpions.

Living off the grid comes with a constant struggle for food and eating snakes is necessary when there are no alternatives.

Hunting a snake is not easy, but a large snake can feed you for at least a week or more.

It is important to identify yourself with various commonly found snake types and traits.

For instance, a King Cobra has a yellow belly and olive-green skin.

Killing a poisonous snake is not an easy endeavor and one has to act decisively and quickly.

The goal is to kill the snake before it bites you, which requires quick reflexes and a powerful weapon.

Wouldn’t the Venom Harm You?

Yes and no, because it depends entirely on your medical history, eating method and physical wellbeing.

People often wonder, is the venom still lethal and deadly once the snake is dead?

Would the venom ham you if you eat a poisonous snake, especially if you consume its head?

It is pertinent to note that eating a venomous snake is certainly carries some risks.

There are two important elements to focus on: the venom and the head of a poisonous snake.

Surprisingly, the venom of a snake is digestible and completely harmless if you eat it.

The venom itself cannot harm your body’s organs or processes if it does not come in contact with your tissues or bloodstream.

However, if the venom enters your bloodstream or tissues, it can prove to be potentially life-threatening and lethal.

Most venom-related deaths or damages are caused by a snake bite and rarely because of snake consumption.

You see, a snake bite injects the venom directly into the bloodstream.

This allows the deadly substance to take effect and cause harm.

But eating a venomous snake is an entirely different matter so you should be typically perfectly fine doing this.

What to Consider When Deciding to Eat a Poisonous Snake?

Consider asking yourself if you have any scars, scars, wounds in your stomach, mouth, or digestive tract.

It is important to understand that eating snakes is not a random, spur-of-the-moment decision.

Very few people are fully aware of their physical wellbeing and the condition of their organs.

Most people have no idea if they have some health issues unless they start experiencing certain troubling symptoms.

You may think you have no wounds or abrasions, but your digestive tract may be riddled with cuts.

Or you might be dealing with stomach ulcers.

However, unless you feel a dull pain in your stomach, trying to figure out if you have digestive tract issues will be your least problem.

Keep in mind that once you run out of your supplies, you’ll find yourself compelled to eat anything that moves.

Nonetheless, venturing out into the wild requires thoughtful considerations about surviving in tough and challenging situations.

Conclusion

It’s hard to choose between extreme hunger and curated meat preferences.

When the body is food-deprived for over a week, you’ll most likely eat anything and everything.

Eating venomous snakes is generally safe, but only if you have no internal cuts, open wounds or abrasions.

Now, have you ever consumed snake meat in your life?

And if not, would you ever eat a poisonous snake if you have nothing else to put in your mouth?

Feel free to leave your answers in the comments below!

FAQs

Can you eat a venomous snake?

Yes, it is possible to eat a venomous snake.

However, consuming venomous snakes comes with significant risks and is generally not recommended due to the potential dangers associated with their venom.

Venomous snakes possess toxins that can be harmful or even fatal if introduced into the human body.

Is it safe to eat venomous snakes if the venom is removed?

Even if the venom is removed, it is not entirely safe to consume venomous snakes.

While removing the venom glands can reduce the risk, other parts of the snake may still contain traces of venom or harmful bacteria.

Additionally, venomous snakes may have distinct flavors that are generally considered unpleasant, making them unappealing as a food source.

Are there any cultures or regions where eating venomous snakes is practiced?

Yes, there are certain cultures and regions where eating venomous snakes is practiced.

For example, in some parts of Southeast Asia, snake meat is considered a delicacy and is believed to have medicinal properties.

However, it is essential to note that these practices are specific to certain cultures and may not be widespread or recommended for the general population.

Are there any health benefits associated with eating venomous snakes?

While some cultures believe in the medicinal benefits of consuming snake meat, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

Venomous snakes are not typically consumed for their nutritional value, and it is important to remember that their venom can pose serious health risks.

If you are seeking specific health benefits, it is advisable to explore safer and well-documented dietary options.

What precautions should be taken if someone wants to eat a venomous snake?

If someone insists on consuming a venomous snake, it is crucial to exercise extreme caution and take the following precautions:

• Seek expert guidance – Consult with professionals who have experience handling and preparing venomous snakes.
• Ensure thorough removal of venom glands – If the venom glands are not adequately removed, there is still a risk of exposure to venom.
• Cook the meat thoroughly – Cooking the meat at high temperatures can help kill potential bacteria or parasites.
• Consider legal and ethical aspects – Before attempting to eat venomous snakes, it is essential to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations regarding wildlife conservation and protected species.