Australia is home to over 100 venomous snake species, including some of the world’s deadliest. But for certain skinks such as Australia’s major skink, the lizard’s protection is embedded in specific genetic mutations. “This receptor is normally the target of neurotoxins which bind to it and block nerve-muscle communication causing rapid paralysis and death,” Fry explained. 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’s team documented 25 instances in which skink lineages have developed a “natural counterpunch” at the same binding site that blocks snake venom from doing its job.