Mortal poison: Understanding Snake Venom and How It Works

Other snake neurotoxins work by blocking voltage-gated calcium channels and voltage-gated potassium channels. These channels are important for the transduction of signals along neurons. Neurotoxins cause muscle paralysis which may also result in respiratory difficulty and death. Snakes of the family Elapidae typically produce neurotoxic venom. These snakes have small, erect fangs and include cobras, mambas, sea snakes, death adders, and coral snakes.