Centipedes Can Kill Animals 15 Times Their Size Thanks to This "Spooky Toxin"
Researchers in Venezuela have seen centipedes skitter up cave walls to eat much heavier bats. And scientists studying centipedes in China observed a golden head centipede, weighing three grams, as it defeated a 45-gram mouse. The centipede quickly subdued its much larger prey thanks to an unusual and potent venom.
"Comparison is difficult to establish among venomous animals because of their preying habit," said Shilong Yang, an expert in venom and toxins at the Kunming Institute of Zoology in China. But, to Yang's knowledge, the centipede holds a record by capturing prey 15 times its body weight within 30 seconds.
They isolated a molecule in centipede venom, a peptide, which they named Ssm Spooky Toxin.The toxin blocks the movement of potassium into and out of mammal cells. Because potassium channels exist throughout the body, "centipedes' venom has evolved to simultaneously disrupt cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and nervous systems," Yang said. "This molecular strategy has not been found in other venomous animals." The study authors hypothesise that the toxin halts blood flow to the heart, leading to heart failure and ultimately death.
Photo credit: All photos was downloaded from ([google) ]