How Aussie skinks outsmart lethal snake venom

5 Aug 2025
Skink
Australia’s Major Skink (Bellatorias frerei) has evolved the same venom resistance mutation as the honey badger (Mellivora capensis) which is found across Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Photo credit: Scott Eipper.

A University of Queensland-led study has found Australian skinks have evolved molecular armour to stop snake venom from shutting down their muscles.

Professor Bryan Fry from UQ’s School of the Environment said revealing exactly how skinks dodge death could inform biomedical approaches to treating snakebite in people.

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