There are more than 4,000 snake species in the world, approximately 600 of which are venomous. However, only around 200 species are potent enough to kill or significantly wound a human. Generally, the size of a snake’s fangs depends on how large the snake is. Since vipers have Solenoglyphous fangs, snakes in this group have the biggest fangs in the world. Continue reading to learn about snake fangs and the five snakes with the largest fangs.
Snake Fangs: Overview
Snake fangs are grooved or hollow.
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Fangs are sharp, long teeth connected to venom glands behind a snake’s eyes. Snake venom is a toxic saliva that contains over 20 distinct compounds, and the lethality of the venom varies between species and toxin types. The toxins in snake venom are either neurotoxins, cytotoxins, or myotoxins.
In many countries, snakes are caught or raised to be milked for venom, which is then used to create antivenoms. This does not affect the snakes since they continue to produce venom as long as they are alive.
Types Of Fangs
Solenoglyphous
Russell’s Viper displaying erect fangs. These fangs are enclosed in a protective mucous sheath, and are kept folded at rest.
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Solenoglyphous fangs are found on vipers. These are hollow, hinged fangs that inject venom as deeply as possible. This type of fang is often compared to hypodermic needles. These fangs transmit venom from the snakes into their prey faster than any other fangs. The fangs’ long and hollow form helps the snake lock their victims in their jaws long enough to bite and transmit the venom. Solenoglyphous fangs create deep wounds. These are the longest and most dangerous fangs found in snakes.
Proteroglyphous
Black mamba fangs are fixed and cannot extend or move.
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Proteroglyphous fangs are found in the Elapid family of snakes. This family includes black mambas (Dendroaspis polylepis), sea snakes (Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae), and cobras (Naja). Proteroglyphous fangs cannot extend or move. Since they are fixed, they are much shorter than solenoglyphous fangs. However, some snakes with this type of fang inject venom quicker than those with solenoglyphous fangs.
Opisthoglyphous
Worm snakes have fangs at the back of their mouths.
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The colubrids group has Opisthoglyphous fangs. Their fangs are located at the back of their mouths, and they must chew on their prey to envenomate. While this makes most of their bites non-lethal, several dangerous species, such as twig snakes (Thelotornis), fall into this category.
5. Golden Lancehead
Snake Island is the only place in the world that is home to the golden lancehead.
Golden Lanceheads (Bothrops insularis) measure approximately 28 inches long as adults. Often found in Brazil, these venomous vipers have golden-colored scales and triangular heads. Their fangs measure 0.79 inches, allowing the snake to inject venom deeply after breaking its prey’s skin. They are highly dangerous and should be reported to the authorities if spotted.
4. Puff Adder
Known for their cranky temperaments and extremely painful bites, puff adders are found in the semiarid regions of Africa and Arabia.
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Puff adders (Bitis arietans) measure approximately 3 feet long as adults. These venomous snakes have fangs as large as 0.79 inches. In Africa, they are responsible for more snake bites than any other species. Their venom yield is 150 to 350 mg, with a maximum of 700 to 750 mg. They primarily prey on rodents, birds, lizards, small mammals, and toads. Puff adders are ambush predators that have been known to lie in wait for their prey for weeks.
3. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Western diamondback rattlesnakes have retractable fangs that they replace when they break.
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The Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) measures approximately 4 feet long and has fangs that measure 0.75 inches. However, some specimens have been found to have fangs as long as 1.25 inches. When threatened, a Western diamondback rattlesnake will rattle and coil before striking. An average bite from this species will release between 250 and 350 mg of venom, sometimes up to 800 mg.
2. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are endemic to the Southeastern United States.
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The fangs of an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) measure 1 inch long. As adults, these snakes measure 3 to 6 feet long, with reports of individuals measuring up to 7 feet. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes also have high venom yields. On average, they inject 400 to 450 mg of venom per bite, with a maximum of 858 to 1,000 mg.
1. Gaboon Viper
Gaboon vipers have the longest fangs of any snake species.
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Found in rainforests as well as the savannas of Sub-Saharan Africa, the gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) has the longest fangs of any snake species, measuring up to 2 inches long, and is known for having one of the highest recorded venom yields among snakes. As adults, gaboon vipers measure 4 to 6 feet long, with some specimens measuring over 6 feet.
