Louisiana Alligator Blood Could Be the Cure for Snakebites

It's official - researchers at Auburn University in Alabama have lost their minds.  I don't know if there's something in the water, or if they have been shut in for far too long - but they're turning into mad scientists.  Auburn biologist John Finger is the lead author on a study that is exploring the possibility of treating venomous snake bites with alligator blood.

It may sound a lot like Dr. Finger just discovered voodoo, but the science behind it is sound (even if it sounds like black magic).  The study looked specifically at the effects of copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) venom on blood from mice and alligators from Cameron Parish in Louisiana.  According to the report from Houma Today, the venom is known to contain toxic compounds "that damage tissue and prevent blood from clotting."  The results of this study have been published in the esteemed and well respected Journal of Herpetology.  They show that gator blood is approximately one hundred times more resistant to the effects of the venom than the mouse blood!

These are early, but exciting findings.  Experts theorize that the alligator's resistance gives them the freedom to eat venomous snakes without suffering any ill effects.  These same experts think that some elements of the gator's blood could be sued to make a powerfully effective treatment for snakebites.

That being said, don't inject yourself with gator blood.   According to it could cause a lot of issues up to and including death.  Dr. Finger says that, for now, if you get a snakebite - you should go to the E.R.