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(Using the 1950s science fiction movie genre, Fatal Beauties humorously debunked the misconception that venomous animals are out to get us by contrasting fear-based beliefs to reality.)

The Venom Advantage: All reptiles are not the same  

  • About 10 percent of snake species worldwide are venomous.
  • The primary function of the venom apparatus is prey capture. The venom “recipe” and its potency vary from species to species. When it comes to venom delivery, some fang designs are more effective than others.

The Eyelash viper possesses flexible front fangs that lie flat against the roof of its mouth when inactive, but they can pivot forward when the snake is attacking. Muscles enable venom injection through these fangs, resembling the action of a hypodermic needle and syringe. Such a mechanism demonstrates an incredibly sophisticated way of delivering venom.

The Cobra has fixed front fangs. The fangs are grooved, but the groove may be closed along part of its length. 

The Mangrove snake has fixed rear fangs. Venom flows from the gland to the duct and down a groove in the tooth. Rear fangs may be the least efficient delivery method because of their position, but some rear-fanged snakes have highly toxic venom.

The Beaded lizard has fangs in the rear and middle lower jaw. Chewing expels venom from the gland, allowing it to travel along a canal between the gum and cheek before being drawn up the grooved fang.

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(Using the 1950s science fiction movie genre, Fatal Beauties humorously debunked the misconception that venomous animals are out to get us by contrasting fear-based beliefs to reality.)

Fang-O-Rama

Primitive fangs are short and fat: venom flows through a groove on the fang’s surface. The more sophisticated fangs are long, sharp, and hollow. Pressure from muscles around the fang pumps venom into the wound they inflict. Either way, there can be no doubt about their purpose—they are tools of death.