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Tears of Venom: Hydrodynamics of Reptilian Envenomation

Bruce A. Young, Florian Herzog, Paul Friedel, Sebastian Rammensee, Andreas Bausch, and J. Leo van Hemmen
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 198103 – Published 12 May 2011

Abstract

In the majority of venomous snakes, and in many other reptiles, venom is conveyed from the animal’s gland to the prey’s tissue through an open groove on the surface of the teeth and not through a tubular fang. Here we focus on two key aspects of the grooved delivery system: the hydrodynamics of venom as it interacts with the groove geometry, and the efficiency of the tooth-groove-venom complex as the tooth penetrates the prey’s tissue. We show that the surface tension of the venom is the driving force underlying the envenomation dynamics. In so doing, we explain not only the efficacy of the open groove, but also the prevalence of this mechanism among reptiles.

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  • Received 26 September 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.198103

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Bruce A. Young1, Florian Herzog2, Paul Friedel2, Sebastian Rammensee2, Andreas Bausch2, and J. Leo van Hemmen2

  • 1Anatomical Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, USA
  • 2Physik Department, Technische Universität München, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 19 — 13 May 2011

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