When venomous snakes spread across Australia millions of years ago, they posed an existential threat to native lizards. Now, new research from the University of Queensland reveals that skinks weren’t just passive prey — they fought back on a molecular level.

The study showed that Australian skinks evolved tiny changes in a crucial muscle receptor, effectively building natural resistance to the otherwise paralyzing snake venom. The receptor in question — a type of acetylcholine [uh-seet-l-koh-leen] receptor — is typically where neurotoxins strike, acting by powering down communication between nerves and muscles. Most of the time, that’s a fast track to paralysis and death.

For skinks? Not so much. In an impressive case of evolutionary déjà vu, researchers found different skink species independently developed mutations to the exact venom-binding site … across 25 different cases. One species, the major skink, even shares the very mutation that gives honey badgers their famous resistance to the cunning cobra.

According to the senior author, it’s a textbook case of high-stakes evolutionary pressure, where survival necessitated altering basic biology. Some skinks even evolved sugar-based shields to physically block toxins from latching on. To test these defenses, scientists recreated venom interactions using synthetic models. They saw exactly what they hoped for: Some receptors simply didn’t react at all.

Why the excitement? Well, researchers say, understanding how venom resistance works in nature could be essential to shaping future treatments geared toward neurotoxin venoms. After all, when nature figures out how to outsmart venom, humans might be wise to take notes.