Snake Expert Rates 9 Snake Attacks In Movies | How Real Is It? | Insider

How Real Is It? | Podcast

13 Feb 202420:51

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Sara Ruane, assistant curator at the Field Museum in Chicago, critically examines snake portrayals in movies for their realism. She dispels common myths such as the ineffectiveness of sucking venom from a snakebite and the exaggerated behavior of snakes, like the unrealistic portrayal of pheromone-induced frenzy in 'Snakes on a Plane'. Ruane also addresses the inaccurate depiction of anacondas' size and strength, and the misconceptions about venomous snake bites and antivenom administration. She highlights that snakes primarily use venom for prey acquisition and self-defense, not aggression towards humans. Ruane emphasizes the importance of staying calm and still around snakes to minimize the risk of being bitten. The video concludes with a rating system for each movie scene, with 'Indiana Jones' receiving a high score for its charming inaccuracies, while 'Bullet Train' is criticized for its unrealistic portrayal of a boomslang snake and antivenom use.

Takeaways

🚫 Trying to suck venom out of a snake bite is absolutely useless, regardless of the snake species.
🐍 Snakes can hide in small places and may go unnoticed for a long time, even on a plane.
🌟 Many scenes in movies depict a mix of harmless and venomous snakes, which is misleading.
🦆 Non-venomous snake bites are not a major concern due to their weak jaw musculature.
🧪 Pheromones in snakes are poorly understood and are not used to incite aggressive behavior.
🎥 'Snakes on a Plane' and 'Anaconda' movies inaccurately portray snake behavior and biology.
🏃 Humans can generally outrun snakes, and anacondas, despite their strength, are primarily aquatic.
🤝 If bitten by a larger constrictor snake, having a second person present can help in unwrapping the snake.
🕸️ Snakes kill their prey by constriction before consuming it, a process that takes time and is not as depicted in movies.
👅 Snakes use their tongues to taste their environment, bringing odor molecules into their mouths for processing.
👂 Snakes have a limited sense of hearing and primarily detect vibrations and low frequencies.

Q & A

What does Dr. Sara Ruane suggest is an ineffective method for dealing with a snake bite?
-Dr. Sara Ruane suggests that trying to suck the venom out of a snake bite is absolutely useless, regardless of the type of snake.
How does Dr. Ruane describe the likelihood of encountering a snake on an airplane?
-Dr. Ruane considers it plausible that a snake could accidentally end up in someone's luggage or be a stowaway on a plane due to their ability to get into small places and remain hidden.
What is the primary misconception about snake jaw strength according to Dr. Ruane?
-The primary misconception is that snakes have strong jaw musculature for biting, but in reality, they have weak jaw muscles because they swallow their food whole without chewing.
How does Dr. Ruane rate the realism of the movie 'Snakes on a Plane' in terms of snake behavior?
-Dr. Ruane rates 'Snakes on a Plane' a four for realism, criticizing the inaccurate portrayal of snake behavior and the unrealistic use of pheromones to incite aggressive behavior.
What is the typical use of pheromones in snakes, according to the video?
-Pheromones in snakes are typically associated with mating behaviors, such as finding and selecting mates, and combat between individuals over potential mates.
How does Dr. Ruane explain the difference between snake venom and poison?
-Snake venom needs to be injected directly into the circulatory system or tissue to be effective, whereas poison is ingested and penetrates the body through the stomach or sublingually in the mouth.
What is the most realistic portrayal of snake behavior in the video, according to Dr. Ruane?
-The most realistic portrayal is in the 'Indiana Jones' clip, where the snakes are mostly just minding their own business and only strike when provoked.
What is the most common misconception about snake hearing, as mentioned in the script?
-The most common misconception is that snakes hear the way humans do. In reality, snakes have a limited ability to perceive sound and primarily detect vibrations and very low frequencies.
How does Dr. Ruane rate the realism of the snake behavior in the movie 'Anaconda'?
-Dr. Ruane rates 'Anaconda' a four, criticizing the unrealistic portrayal of an anaconda's movement, speed, and size, as well as the inaccurate depiction of constriction and feeding behavior.
What is the most effective way to avoid being bitten by a snake, as suggested by Dr. Ruane?
-The most effective way to avoid a snake bite is to stay still, remain calm, avoid sudden movements that might startle the snake, and then slowly and calmly back away.
How does Dr. Ruane describe the process of making antivenom?
-Antivenom is made by 'milking' the venom from a snake, which involves encouraging or forcing the snake to bite into a rubber sheet stretched over a vial, allowing the venom to drip into the container.
What is the most accurate portrayal of a snakebite treatment in the video?
-The most accurate portrayal is when the character in the video decides to get the bitten person to a clinic and seeks help from trained medical staff.

Outlines

00:00

🐍 Snakes in Movies: Realism Check

Dr. Sara Ruane, assistant curator at the Field Museum, critiques the realism of snake attacks in movies. She discusses the futility of trying to suck venom out from a snakebite and explores various movie scenarios involving snakes. Dr. Ruane highlights that snakes can hide well and are capable of biting when cornered, but their jaw strength is weak if they lack venom. She also addresses the unrealistic portrayal of snake behavior and pheromone use in films, such as 'Snakes on a Plane,' and provides a rating for realism.

05:02

🦎 Snake Behaviors and Defenses

The paragraph delves into the natural behaviors of snakes, including their defensive strategies and the use of venom. It explains that venom is primarily used to subdue prey and is not typically a first-line defense. The advice given for avoiding snake bites includes staying still, calm, and slowly backing away. The portrayal of snakes in movies like 'Anaconda' and 'Indiana Jones' is critiqued for accuracy, with praise given for scenes that depict snakes acting naturally and minding their own business.

10:03

🏥 Snakebite Treatment Myths and Realities

This section dispels common myths about snakebite treatment, such as cutting into the wound to suck out venom, which is not only ineffective but also harmful. It explains the difference between venom and poison, the importance of seeking prompt medical treatment, and the process of antivenom administration. The discussion includes the realistic portrayal of venom's effects, such as tissue damage and the potential need for amputation, and the inaccuracies in the depiction of antivenom's effects in movies.

15:04

🐉 The Truth About Mambas and Rattlesnakes

The paragraph focuses on the behavior and characteristics of specific snake species, namely mambas and rattlesnakes. It discusses the potential for a mamba to bite a human out of defense and the effects of neurotoxic venom. The realism of certain movie scenes is evaluated, including the portrayal of snake behavior and the handling of snakebites. The use of time tracking as a method to monitor venom progression in a bite victim is acknowledged as a legitimate practice.

20:05

🎥 Critiquing Snake Portrayals in Film

Dr. Ruane provides her final thoughts on the portrayal of snakes in various films, with a focus on the 'Indiana Jones' movie. She finds charm in the inaccuracies and enjoys identifying real animals versus the misrepresented ones in films. She encourages viewers to continue watching similar content for both entertainment and education on the realities of snake behavior and biology.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Venom

Venom is a toxic substance produced by certain animals, such as snakes, which they use for hunting or self-defense. In the video, it is discussed that venom needs to be injected directly into the tissue or circulatory system to be effective, contrasting the common myth of sucking venom out of a bite, which is depicted as useless.

💡Antivenom

Antivenom is a medication used to counteract the effects of venom from certain animals, like snakes. It is made by collecting venom from the specific species and using it to create a serum that can neutralize the venom's toxic effects. The video explains that antivenom administration is not a one-dose fix and is given in doses based on the severity of the bite.

💡Neurotoxic

Neurotoxic refers to a substance that is toxic or destructive to nerve tissue. In the context of the video, black mambas are mentioned as having neurotoxic venom, which affects the nervous system by disrupting sodium-potassium channels, potentially leading to paralysis and respiratory failure.

💡Hemotoxic

Hemotoxic substances are those that affect the blood or the circulatory system. The video discusses hemotoxic venom, such as that from rattlesnakes, which can cause tissue damage, gangrene, and potentially lead to amputation if not treated promptly.

💡Constrictor

A constrictor is a type of snake that kills its prey by coiling around it and suffocating or crushing it. The video clarifies that not all snakes are constrictors and that some, like the boomslang, are not known for this behavior.

💡Pheromones

Pheromones are chemical substances that are secreted and released by animals, affecting the behavior or physiology of others of the same species. In the video, it is mentioned that pheromones in snakes are poorly understood but are known to play a role in mating and social behaviors, not typically aggression towards other species.

💡Anaconda

Anacondas are large, non-venomous snakes found in South America. The video discusses the portrayal of anacondas in movies, noting that their size and behavior are often exaggerated for dramatic effect, and that they are primarily aquatic, which supports their massive girth.

💡Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes known for the distinctive rattle at the end of their tails. The video emphasizes the importance of cautious handling of rattlesnakes due to their potent venom and the potential for severe medical consequences from their bites.

💡Snakebite Treatment

Snakebite treatment involves medical interventions to counteract the effects of a snake's venom. The video highlights that while some traditional treatments, like cutting and sucking the venom, are ineffective, others like the use of antivenom and monitoring the progression of venom in the body are crucial components of modern medical treatment.

💡Squamates

Squamates is an order of reptiles that includes snakes and lizards. The video discusses the study of pheromones across squamates, indicating that while pheromonal communication is known in this group, its role in aggressive behavior towards other species is unlikely.

💡Defensive Biting

Defensive biting is a behavior where snakes bite in response to a threat or when they feel cornered. The video explains that even non-venomous snakes can bite as a defensive mechanism, but the impact of such a bite is generally less severe due to their weaker jaw musculature and lack of venom.

Highlights

Attempting to suck venom out of a snake bite is useless regardless of the snake species.

Snakes can hide in small places and remain unnoticed for a long time.

Many snake species shown in movies are harmless and common pets like milk snakes and corn snakes.

Snakes have weak jaw muscles and if not venomous, their bite is not a significant threat.

The use of pheromones to incite aggressive behavior in snakes is unrealistic.

Pheromones in snakes are associated with mating and not aggression towards other species.

The movie 'Snakes on a Plane' is rated four for realism due to inaccurate snake behavior.

Anacondas are primarily aquatic and do not have the upper-body strength portrayed in movies.

The size of anacondas in movies is exaggerated; 20-25 feet is more realistic than 40 feet.

When dealing with a large constrictor snake, a second person's help may be necessary to unwrap the snake.

Snakes kill their prey through constriction before consuming it.

Snakes' jaws are not attached; they can stretch very wide, facilitated by a stretchy ligament.

The movie 'Anaconda' is rated four for realism due to the unrealistic portrayal of the snake's movement and speed.

Snakes primarily use venom to acquire and kill prey safely.

Staying still and calm is a good strategy to avoid getting bitten by a snake.

The portrayal of snake behavior in the 'Indiana Jones' movie is quite realistic.

Snakes do not hear the way humans do; they sense vibrations and low frequencies.

Snakes use tongue flicking to taste their environment and gather information about their surroundings.

The movie 'Rattlesnake' portrays an unrealistic scenario of multiple snakes attacking a person.

Tracking the progression of venom and swelling in a snakebite victim can be useful in a medical context.

Seeking immediate medical help for a snakebite is the most appropriate action.

Transcripts

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