Biology, asked by vermadashrath3129, 1 year ago

discribe biting machanims of snakes

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Answered by shubham3373
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There are altogether more than 2600 species of snakes all over the world including the marine forms, and, out of which only 300 species are poisonous. Number of species diminishes

progressively through the polar regions. In India, there are 330 species only and among them only 69 species are poisonous. As per record of the W.H.O., nearly 30000 to 40000 persons die of snake bite in the world every year.

Biting mechanism: The biting apparatus taking part in the biting process are — 1.            Poison glands 2.             Poison ducts, and 3.             Poison teeth or Fangs. Now, they are being described below in detail :

There is one pair of poison glands each one is situated on either side of the upper jaw. The poison glands are actually the parotid glands. Each poison gland is sac like in appearance. They are held in position by some ligaments. With the help of anterior ligament, the gland is attached with the maxilla. The posterior ligament is present between the gland and the quadrate. In addition to these, fan-shaped ligaments are also situated between the side walls and squamoso-quadrate junction.

Each poison gland is provided with a narrow duct at its anterior portion which passes along the side of the upper jaw, loops over itself and finally opens at the base of the fang.

There is one pair of fangs in the upper jaw. They are enlarged maxillary teeth which are very sharp and pointed. There is great power of regeneration (when lost for some reason). On the basis of structure and position, the fangs are of the following types :

1)   Proteroglyphous type: The fangs are comparatively small and they are present in front of the maxillae. The fang has a groove all along its anterior face. Examples : Cobra, Krait, Sea snakes and Coral snakes.

2)   Stenoglyphous type: The fangs are movable and turned inside. Poison canal runs through the fang and opens at the tip. Examples: Vipers and Rattle snakes.

3)  Opisthoglyphous type. The fangs are small and lie at the back portion of maxillae. The fang has a groove along its posterior face. Examples : Some colubrid snake (African tree snakes)

4)  Aglyphous type: Aglyphous dentition is present in the non- poisonous snakes.

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