Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am well aware gaboons, as with all vipers, shed their fangs quite often. I have been collecting them out of snake pies for years. My question is, how can the snake break down the bones of its prey, and not its own thin hollow fangs? Since they seem to pass their fangs with no problems, what is the chance that a fang could embed itself into the stomach or other organs within the snake and cause permanent damage or death? And why would I find 5 long fangs in a small poop pile from my 2 year old female gaboon? Its normal to find 1, and even 2 on occasion, but in the smaller then usual pile she left me today, there were 5. I'm not worried about it, unless you guys say I should be, I am just curious as to if this is typical, or should I be adding fluoride to her water. (I said the fluoride bit as a joke, but then I thought for a minute, could that help to maintain stronger fangs, or would it cause unintentional internal damage?) She is fed an appropriate size rat only after she defecates. Every three weeks to a month.

Teeth have an outer surface covered in enamel, which as we all know is very hardy and durable. The short exposure to gastric acids won't cause any damage. Also inside the tooth (not to sure about fangs) is a substance call dentin, not as tough as enamel but stronger than bone.
I've also pondered on the fact how fangs pass through without puncturing stomachs/intestines?
As for fluoride, I wouldn't know if it would be benificial lol. But you can over dose on it (humans)so be careful.

John
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"Its no help to hide behind the statement that snake bite accidents are a rarity and that the average Dr seldom or never will treat one. For the bitten patient, it is a matter of life or death, and the rarity of the event is of no interest to him."

Good info on the enamal and dentin, I didn't think about it like that before.

As harsh as the fangs seem, objects like that actually move quite well through the digestive tract. I unfortunately work more with dogs and cats, but needles and razors of all types are found on X-rays, and unless the animal is in clinical distress the best course of action is to watch for it to pass. With the linear GI tract of a snake, I'd think passing the fangs would be that much easier. The risk of perforation is still there, but in gaboons, I'd also be tempted to say that they have evolved with this risk.

As for finding 5 in one stool, foriegn objects are sometimes delayed, which might account for the collection.

Ian

Thanks for the replies. You both just confirmed what I was thinking. The enamel and dentine in the teeth make perfect sense, but it still leaves me a little stumped. What are the major differences between the make up of the viper fangs vs. the make up of rabbit teeth? Rabbits have some pretty good sized front teeth. I have several large retics and burms that eat large rabbits, and I have never found a rabbit tooth in a stool. I know these are not important issues, just a silly lingering curiosity I have.

How hard have you looked for the rabbit teeth?

I'm honestly stumped.... I'll ask around though.

Ian

This cage now holds our 15' albino burm. To clean it, I use a small 1 gallon shop vac. I have to break the stool into smaller pieces to go through the vac hose. I often inspect the stool for visible parasites such as some of the larger worms. I would think if the snake was passing the rabbit teeth, I would find them occasionally. Could it be that the pythons have stronger digestive fluids then a viper since the viper venom is breaking down the prey from the inside out as well the as the digestive fluids from the outside in?

Teeth are prety tough. I remember reading some where, that the best way to dispose of a body is to dump it in a pig farm, as they will eat and digest every thing apart from teeth, these will have to be removed before hand. This is refering to humans!
Maybe due to reptiles slower metabolic rate, that food sits longer in the stomach and there for exposed to acid for greater periods?

John
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"Its no help to hide behind the statement that snake bite accidents are a rarity and that the average Dr seldom or never will treat one. For the bitten patient, it is a matter of life or death, and the rarity of the event is of no interest to him."

It's no doubt that snakes in general have an iron stomach. I've asked around my vet circles but havn't a response yet. I don't keep vipers myself, but havn't heard of rodent remains apart of the hair.

Ian

Pure speculation:

Maybe since venom has such strong digestive properties, the fangs are protected differently than other species.

That's a very logical theory I hadn't thought of.

Ah! but venom are enzymes and peptides to specific receptors within the body of its prey. For example phophlipids which can be found through out our body.

John
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"Its no help to hide behind the statement that snake bite accidents are a rarity and that the average Dr seldom or never will treat one. For the bitten patient, it is a matter of life or death, and the rarity of the event is of no interest to him."

Sorry, i think a couple of brain cells died off during my previous response. Spell check,"Phospholipids". Enzymes and peptides etc within the venom target only specific sites within the prey.
Wish i could of edited my previous post.

John
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"Its no help to hide behind the statement that snake bite accidents are a rarity and that the average Dr seldom or never will treat one. For the bitten patient, it is a matter of life or death, and the rarity of the event is of no interest to him."

Teeth have receptors regulating their vulnerability to digestion?