Viper
Viper
Viper (/ˈvaɪpər/) is a family of venomous snakes found in most parts of the world, with the exception of Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, various other isolated islands, and north of the Arctic Circle. They are known for their long, hinged fangs that allow a deep penetration and injection of venom.
Etymology
The term 'viper' is derived from the Latin word 'vipera', which is a contraction of 'vivipara' (meaning 'bearing live young'). This is a reference to the viper's unusual reproductive habit of giving birth to live young, unlike many other snakes which lay eggs.
Related Terms
- Venom: A poisonous substance secreted by animals such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions and typically injected into prey or aggressors by biting or stinging.
- Fang: A long, pointed tooth. In mammals, a fang is a modified maxillary tooth, used for biting and tearing flesh. In snakes, it is a specialized tooth that is associated with a venom gland.
- Snake: A long, legless, carnivorous reptile of the suborder Serpentes. Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales.
- Viviparous: Bringing forth live young that have developed inside the body of the parent.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Viper
- Wikipedia's article - Viper
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