Australian major skinks possess a remarkable natural immunity to potent snake neurotoxins, achieved through a mutation in their nicotinic acetylcholin

Through functional tests, researchers noted the major skink’s mutation is identical to the one that protects honey badgers and mongooses from cobra venom. Fry added that it was “quite remarkable” to see the same resistance in both a lizard and a mammal.

A new study looking at how skinks have evolved to block venom from reaching their muscles could guide development of new antivenoms

Australian skinks have developed a remarkable genetic defense against venomous snake bites by mutating a key muscle receptor, making them resistant to neurotoxins. These tiny but powerful molecular changes mirror those found in cobra-resistant mammals like mongooses and honey badgers.

A study of Australia’s many species of skink reveals they have evolved resistance to snake venom at least 25 times, a testimony to the continent’s dangers. Since each skink lineage had to evolve resistance from scratch through mutation,