In order for envenomation to occur the snake must chew on it's prey which is time consuming. This rear-fanged aquatic snake feeds exclusively on fish, which is accomplished via an ambush method. In dry times and at night, the snake may burrow itself in the mud. So what is venom, how did snakes get it and why do they have it? During the winter, temperatures in the hibernaculum never drops below C F at which the garters may safely remain for sixteen weeks without serious loss of body weight or impact on general health.
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