Difference between revisions of "Snake Teeth"
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| − | + | The arrangement and number of teeth is extremely species. Some species of snake have virtually no teeth while others have very highly developed teeth. The function of undifferentiated teeth is to draw food items into the mouth rather than to chew. Teeth continue to be replaced throughout life, including the fangs. | |
| − | The arrangement and number of teeth is extremely species | + | *Find out more about [[Snake Feeding|snake feeding]]. |
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Six rows of teeth are generally present in snakes commonly seen in the pet trade, one row on each side of the lower jaws and two rows on each side of the upper jaws. | Six rows of teeth are generally present in snakes commonly seen in the pet trade, one row on each side of the lower jaws and two rows on each side of the upper jaws. | ||
==Morphology== | ==Morphology== | ||
| − | Teeth are of the | + | Teeth are of the pleurodont type and are generally not differentiated ([[Aglyphous|aglyphous]]) except for fangs in venomous snakes or in species with specialised feeding habits (none have molars, incisors, etc). |
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==Fangs== | ==Fangs== | ||
| − | Fangs may be located at the front or the rear of the mouth. Front fangs are either fixed ( | + | Fangs may be located at the front or the rear of the mouth. Front fangs are either fixed (prosthoglyphous) or moveable ([[Solenoglyphous|solenoglyphous]]). They are attached to the maxilla and may be shed monthly. Reserve fangs are present behind each functional fang and these grow in size, move forward and ankylose with the maxilla. Rear fangs may be one or two pairs of enlarged teeth positioned caudally in the mouth (opisthoglyphous) or the unusual arrangement seen in xenodontine dentition. When not in use, a membranous flap usually covers the fangs. |
*In [[Viperidae|vipers]] and [[Pit viper|pit vipers]], fangs fold caudodorsally and are sheathed when the mouth is closed. | *In [[Viperidae|vipers]] and [[Pit viper|pit vipers]], fangs fold caudodorsally and are sheathed when the mouth is closed. | ||
*In [[Elapidae|elapids]] and [[Colubridae|colubrids]] with fangs, they remain erect and do not fold. | *In [[Elapidae|elapids]] and [[Colubridae|colubrids]] with fangs, they remain erect and do not fold. | ||
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==Position== | ==Position== | ||
Dentigerous bones include the mandibles, maxillae, palatines, pterygoids and sometimes the premaxillae. There are usually two rows of lower teeth and four rows of upper teeth. | Dentigerous bones include the mandibles, maxillae, palatines, pterygoids and sometimes the premaxillae. There are usually two rows of lower teeth and four rows of upper teeth. | ||
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<gallery widths="115px" perrow="6"> | <gallery widths="115px" perrow="6"> | ||
| − | Image:Skull_of_giant_snake.jpg|'''External examination''' <br> '''Note the teeth curving back in this giant snake''' - | + | Image:Skull_of_giant_snake.jpg|'''External examination''' <br> '''Note the teeth curving back in this giant snake''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved |
| − | Image:Teeth.jpg|'''The teeth are delicate and point backwards''' - | + | Image:Teeth.jpg|'''The teeth are delicate and point backwards''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved |
| − | Image:Diamond_viper_fangs.jpg|'''Solenoglyphous fangs of a diamond viper''' - | + | Image:Diamond_viper_fangs.jpg|'''Solenoglyphous fangs of a diamond viper''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved |
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Mader, D.R. (2005). Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Saunders. pp. 47. ISBN 072169327X | Mader, D.R. (2005). Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Saunders. pp. 47. ISBN 072169327X | ||
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Revision as of 09:48, 28 April 2010
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This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |
The arrangement and number of teeth is extremely species. Some species of snake have virtually no teeth while others have very highly developed teeth. The function of undifferentiated teeth is to draw food items into the mouth rather than to chew. Teeth continue to be replaced throughout life, including the fangs.
- Find out more about snake feeding.
Six rows of teeth are generally present in snakes commonly seen in the pet trade, one row on each side of the lower jaws and two rows on each side of the upper jaws.
Morphology
Teeth are of the pleurodont type and are generally not differentiated (aglyphous) except for fangs in venomous snakes or in species with specialised feeding habits (none have molars, incisors, etc).
Fangs
Fangs may be located at the front or the rear of the mouth. Front fangs are either fixed (prosthoglyphous) or moveable (solenoglyphous). They are attached to the maxilla and may be shed monthly. Reserve fangs are present behind each functional fang and these grow in size, move forward and ankylose with the maxilla. Rear fangs may be one or two pairs of enlarged teeth positioned caudally in the mouth (opisthoglyphous) or the unusual arrangement seen in xenodontine dentition. When not in use, a membranous flap usually covers the fangs.
- In vipers and pit vipers, fangs fold caudodorsally and are sheathed when the mouth is closed.
- In elapids and colubrids with fangs, they remain erect and do not fold.
Position
Dentigerous bones include the mandibles, maxillae, palatines, pterygoids and sometimes the premaxillae. There are usually two rows of lower teeth and four rows of upper teeth.
External examination
Note the teeth curving back in this giant snake - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved
The teeth are delicate and point backwards - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved
Solenoglyphous fangs of a diamond viper - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved
References
Mader, D.R. (2005). Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Saunders. pp. 47. ISBN 072169327X