A Brazilian biologist used an unusual method to study the biting behaviour of venomous snakes. João Miguel Alves-Nunes from the Butantan Research Centre in São Paulo, Brazil lightly kicked Jararaca lance snakes – a widespread and highly venomous viper species in south-eastern Brazil – over 40,000 times using a specially made protective boot. His findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, reveal crucial insights into snake bite incidents in the region, which account for a significant portion of the 20,000 poisonings reported annually in Brazil. The snakes were not harmed during the …