Introduction
The history of development of fangs and venom glands, have long time a mystery snakes.Disposition of the 3 variants of fangs
solenoglyph: fixed tubular fangs in the anterior jaw
proteroglyph: sulcular fangs in the anterior jaw
opistoglyph: sulcular fangs in the posterior jaw
Historically, only the twig snake and Boomslang severe envenomations have been attributed. By the middle of the 20 century were members of the Colubridae still considered to be harmless, until the known herpetologist Karl P. Schmidt died after a bite of a Boomslang (Dispholidus typus). The bird or twig snake (Thelotornis sp.) is responsible for the death of the herpetologist Robert Mertens, who died after bleeding.
In the last decades were also severe envemomations of
following species known (selection):
Rhabdophis tigrinus, Boiga irregularis, Boiga dendrophila, Balanophis ceylonensis, Macropisthodon flaviceps
The
german word "Trugnatter" is first mentioned in the "Oeconomische
Encyclopädie 1773 to 1858 " sulcular fang Boiga irregularis
Historically, these colubrids were associated with the subfamily of Boiginae.
For example, the genera Ahaetulla, Boiga, Chrysopelea
Recent studies show, however, that this classification because of the history of development is not sustainable and therefore revised.
Rather studies show that a large number of colubrids (Colubridae) produce toxins.
Most genera and species are not able to trigger severe envenomations.