Researchers with the University of Queensland have discovered the last common ancestor between humans and apes had an increased resistance to large amounts of snake venom.
The study focused on African and Asian primates and their abilities to survive snake bites, by exposing synthetic neuroreceptors to various types of venom.
African and Asian primates were shown to have a much higher rate of resistance to the venoms of cobras than South American monkeys, which due to lack of exposure to snakes did not develop such resistance, and also had poorer eyesight.
No animals were harmed during the study.