*2.1. Maternal Behavior*

The mothers in the Ct group spent most of the time in an arched-back nursing posture and the care offered to the pups decreased over the days (Figure 1). In the V2 and V10 groups, the time spent in the arched-back nursing posture is significantly reduced on the day of envenoming (Figure 1). In the V16 group, there was no change, because at this stage this behavior is almost extinguished (Figure 1).

**Figure 1.** Time spent in arched-back nursing posture after the treatment. Ct injected with 0.9% NaCl in PN2, PN10 and PN16. V2 injected with *T. serrulatus* venom in PN2 and 0.9% NaCl in PN10 and PN16. V10 injected with *T. serrulatus* venom in PN10 and 0.9% NaCl in PN2 and PN16. V16 injected with *T. serrulatus* venom in PN16 and 0.9% NaCl in PN2 and PN10. (*n* = 6 females per group). Data are expressed as means ± SEM. (\*) *p* < 0.001 compared to the control group (Two-way ANOVA).
