Why might an adder deliver a dry bite during a defensive strike?
Answer
Venom is an energetically expensive biological resource that snakes often conserve by striking without injecting toxins.
Snakes operate on a biological economy where venom production requires significant time and energy. Because venom is primarily a tool for subduing prey, snakes often prefer to avoid wasting it on defensive strikes. A dry bite occurs when the snake strikes to deter a threat without injecting venom, or by injecting only a minimal, non-lethal amount. This strategy allows the snake to preserve its resources for feeding purposes while still effectively warning off a perceived danger.
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