What physical change in the fang allows *Naja nigricincta* to eject venom as a spray?

Answer

The venom duct opens through a distinct, forward-facing aperture or slit.

The physical mechanism enabling venom spitting is a specialized modification centered on the structure of the fang tip. In standard venom delivery systems, the venom duct terminates at a small opening located at the front of the fang tip, designed for injection during a bite. For spitting cobras, this anatomy is refined: the venom duct is redirected to open through a unique, forward-facing aperture or slit. This structural change converts the fang into a dual-purpose delivery system. When the snake contracts powerful cephalic muscles, this modified opening allows the venom to be expelled in a directed stream or spray rather than relying solely on the backward angling necessary for a biting injection.

What physical change in the fang allows *Naja nigricincta* to eject venom as a spray?

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Spitting cobras: the peculiar evolution of defensive venom in snakes

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What physical change in the fang allows *Naja nigricincta* to eject venom as a spray?How does the venom chemistry of spitting cobras generally diverge from that of non-spitting *Naja* relatives?What is the functional role of maintaining the bite capability alongside the spitting adaptation in *N. nigricincta*?What physical trait defines many specimens of *Naja nigricincta* according to its binomial name?What selective pressure likely favored the evolution of venom spitting over purely defensive displays in the *N. nigricincta* environment?What is the evolutionary significance of spitting evolving independently across various snake lineages?Which species of cobra is mentioned as an example of a species that threatens or bites but does not project venom like *N. nigricincta*?For a cobra that spits, what delivery method is utilized for envenomation via biting, as opposed to spitting?What is the evolutionary consequence of maintaining the general apparatus for venom production in cobras prior to the fang specialization?Where are Zebra Spitting Cobras (*N. nigricincta*) generally distributed geographically?
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