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just a thought about pit vipers
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by bush_viper17 on February 22, 2005
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I was thinking, one reason pit vipers have independently moving fangs is to save venom. They could possibly inject with one fang and not the other,they can inject with both fangs,or they can choose not to inject at all. This is just a thought and I have nothing to prove this.
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RE: just a thought about pit vipers
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by guttersnacks on February 22, 2005
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You do a lot of thinking dont you? !! Thats great. At least you're not spending time ripping off old ladies' purses or juggling hippos.
You got me thinking.......why do snakes need retractable fangs anyway? Why the difference in retractable and the fixed fangs of Elapids? I think maybe it has to do with prey type. The long fangs are adapted for use on animals with thicker fur or feathers to allow penetration, and the shorter fangs adapted for biting things like snakes and thin skinned animals (desert type stuff for maximum cooling). Just a thought, but thanx for keeping the brain cells warm.
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RE: just a thought about pit vipers
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by LarryDFishel on February 23, 2005
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Since they have seperate enom glands (and the associted muscles), I would imagine they could inject through only one fang even if both punctured. A lot of vipers alternate the two fangs while using them to help push a meal down the throat. Mainly I would just think that it's more of a useful accident (as is most of evolution). If you're going to have folding fangs, it's just easier (and less fragile) to have them separate than connected by some moving linkage.
As far as whiy the long fangs are useful, I suspect from my limited observations that is has to do with getting the venom deep into the body. On several occasions I've seen rats or mice bitten by rattlesnakes take just a few steps before keeling over. My guess is venom stright into the heart or cental blood vessels...although physical damage to the heart is another possibility.
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RE: just a thought about pit vipers
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by JHarrison on February 23, 2005
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Just so you know..
I've seen video taken during venom expenditure studies that were done here using both elapids and viperids. All of the species used were able to inject from one or both fangs. Sometimes they even alternate in a rhythmic way- its pretty cool.
I think the idea of getting the venom deep into the prey is a good one. I also think it may have something to do with biting efficiency- the snake can make a sort of stabbing motion instead of biting down, so its less contact time with the prey.
Just a few thoughts,
Kristen
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RE: just a thought about pit vipers
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by timberrattlesnake89 on February 27, 2005
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I think it may involve that most viper do not even need to use venom since their fangs kill the mouse by punturing it artery.
Phillip
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RE: just a thought about pit vipers
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by guttersnacks on February 28, 2005
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Ditto........WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????? Dont confuse a rattlesnake with a saber toothed tiger.
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RE: just a thought about pit vipers
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by Snake17 on February 28, 2005
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Ok. Hold it ! I`ve heard enough nonsense. FIrst of all, all vipers have independent moving fangs, not only pitvipers. Secondly, I agree with Kristen, the most logical explination for the fangs being long is that they will penetrate prey faster and the risk level for the snakes drops enourmosly. Thirdly, the can retract their fangs because they would stab theirselves if they wouldn`t. Just my 2 cents, Alex S.
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