A new study shows that wrinkles at the base of snakes’ fangs, which were originally there to hold their teeth in place, evolved to release venom to kill prey.

Experts in Australia have studied several species of venomous snakes, including the coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus), which is often considered the most dangerous snake in Australia. The research was led by experts at Flinders University in Adelaide and the South Australian Museum.

They found that all species of snakes separately developed grooves or “wrinkles” in their teeth in what they described as a form of “tooth origami” (origami is the art of combining a few folds in different ways to make intricate designs).

Most snakes do not inject venom into their victims using hollow fangs, contrary to common misconceptions.

In fact, there is a groove along the outside of its fangs along which poison flows into the victim’s wound.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Alessandro Palci, from Flinders University, said: ‘Why snakes develop fangs so many times, which rarely occurs in other reptiles, has long been a mystery. Our study answers this and shows how easily normal snakes’ teeth turn into needles. Under the skin”.

Snakes emit toxins from “venomous fangs”, modified grooved teeth that are larger than other adjacent teeth.

It can be located in the back of the mouth or in the front of the mouth, where it can be fixed or suspended, which means that it can be folded back.

In their study, the researchers used high-tech modeling, fossils, and hours of microscopic observations of the snake species.

Of the nearly 4,000 species of snakes alive today, about 600 are considered “medically important” to humans, meaning that if you’ve been bitten, you will likely need to visit the nearest hospital for treatment.

Despite advances in poison control, snakebites remain a major health concern worldwide.

Venomous canines are modified grooved teeth and are larger than other adjacent teeth. It can be located in the back of the mouth or in the front of the mouth, where it can be attached or suspended (ie it can be folded back).

The study revealed that snakes have small internal folds or wrinkles at the base of their venom fangs that may help them stick more firmly to the jaw, by increasing the attachment surface area.

In venomous snakes, these wrinkles develop deeper and extend all the way to the tip of the tooth, in fact, forming what is known as a venom groove and long, pointed fangs.

Observations show that venom grooves are an expression of an ancestral feature found in most snakes’ teeth called plicidentine, also known as dendritic dentin, around the pulp cavity at the base of the tooth.

Dendritic ivory has been reported in several groups of vertebrates, but its widespread occurrence in snakes was not previously known.

Co-author Matthew Flinders, Professor Michael Lee at Flinders University, said: ‘Our work also highlights the ‘opportunism’ and efficacy of evolution – wrinkles that helped connect teeth to the jaw were repurposed to help inject venom.

Interestingly, experts also included non-venomous snake strait in their analysis.