Differences Between Buccal Gland Secretion and Associated Delivery Systems of “True” Venomous Snakes and “Colubrid” Snakes: Low- Versus High-Pressure Gland Function and Canaliculated Versus Solid Dentition - "Venomous" Bites from Non-Venomous Snakes - page 14

(A)
(B)
Plate 2.6 (A and B) Eastern diamondback rattlesnake ( Crotalus adamanteus ), Florida,
USA. The largest venomous snake of North America, this impressive crotaline viperid can
produce large volumes of venom. Manual extraction can yield over 1 g of venom solids. Bites
from this species commonly produce significant morbidity, and may be fatal. Photos copyright
to David A. Warrell.
This seemed to be particularly developed in D. typus , Stenorrhina freminvillei (Central
American blood snake or alacranera), and T. capensis .
The released secretion is conveyed by a duct into a loose cuff of buccal mucosa
near or around the adjacent teeth ( Figure 2.1 , Panel C). Some taxa have multiple
ducts that transmit secretion to the vicinity of the adjacent maxillary teeth (Fry et al.,
2008). The secretion is thereby conducted by capillary action along the surface of the
tooth, a process sometimes facilitated by dental grooves. Thus, in contrast to venom
delivery in front-fanged venomous snakes, Duvernoy's secretion is not injected, but
rather inoculated into the bite wound inflicted in the integument of the bitten prey or
human victim (Kardong, 2009).