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Biology

Evolution of Venom Delivery Systems in Snakes

Quick fact

Front-fanged venom delivery has evolved independently at least twice in snakes: once in the advanced snakes (elapids like cobras) and once in the viper family, resulting in two distinct fang designs that both inject venom efficiently.

Why this is interesting

Most snakes are not venomous, yet the ones that are seem to have hit upon a similar trick—multiple times, independently. How did a system of grooved teeth and glands evolve over and over again?