[134] ANOTHER ROUND OF SNAKE FACTS // Video.
[IT'S SNAKE STORYTELLING TIME AGAIN. Rex is enjoying some more quality time with Tiamat draped around his shoulders, because she's basically the only thing he really cares about.]
There's a theory among some scientists that all snakes are venomous to a degree. Yes... [He turns to look Tiamat in the eyes, smiling with fondness.] all of them. It isn't an unfounded idea, really. [Running a finger along Tiamat's scales gently.] Self centered as we are, we only classify the ones whose bites can do us harm as 'venomous'. But if all snakes evolved from a common ancestor-- the very one that gave rise to the Gila monster and other venomous lizards-- then perhaps, even those 'harmless' snakes still retain that... [Chuckle] special bite. No wonder people are practically hard-wired to fear them.
And yet, the Greeks and Romans still believed in their capacity to heal. The Aesculapian snake was thought to carry healing properties in its tongue. [He strokes the snake again.] Just one touch, and it could alleviate your suffering. So trusted was the snake that the Romans would simply import them to their temples, rather than the Greek healers themselves.
[He pauses.]
What with all the talk of weapons lately, I was just thinking about it, this theory that all snakes, at one point, could potentially kill with a bite. And how... there's another side to them, too.
[Frowning. He doesn't quite like how that comes out.]
I don't know. There was no deeper point. It's just the usual... [He waves a dismissive hand.] Barge boredom talking.
[SHUTTING OFF NOW.]
There's a theory among some scientists that all snakes are venomous to a degree. Yes... [He turns to look Tiamat in the eyes, smiling with fondness.] all of them. It isn't an unfounded idea, really. [Running a finger along Tiamat's scales gently.] Self centered as we are, we only classify the ones whose bites can do us harm as 'venomous'. But if all snakes evolved from a common ancestor-- the very one that gave rise to the Gila monster and other venomous lizards-- then perhaps, even those 'harmless' snakes still retain that... [Chuckle] special bite. No wonder people are practically hard-wired to fear them.
And yet, the Greeks and Romans still believed in their capacity to heal. The Aesculapian snake was thought to carry healing properties in its tongue. [He strokes the snake again.] Just one touch, and it could alleviate your suffering. So trusted was the snake that the Romans would simply import them to their temples, rather than the Greek healers themselves.
[He pauses.]
What with all the talk of weapons lately, I was just thinking about it, this theory that all snakes, at one point, could potentially kill with a bite. And how... there's another side to them, too.
[Frowning. He doesn't quite like how that comes out.]
I don't know. There was no deeper point. It's just the usual... [He waves a dismissive hand.] Barge boredom talking.
[SHUTTING OFF NOW.]