The four canines, or fangs, of a domestic cat. (The largest two teeth of the top and bottom rows of teeth.)

A fang is a long, pointed tooth. In mammals, a fang is a canine tooth, used for biting and tearing flesh. In snakes, it is a poison-injecting tooth (see snake venom). Spiders also have fangs, which are part of the chelicerae. Fantasy creatures such as dragons and vampires have fangs as well.

Fangs are most common in carnivores or omnivores, but some herbivores, such as fruit bats, carry them as well. They are generally used to hold or swiftly kill prey, such as in large cats.

Omnivorous animals, such as bears, use their fangs when hunting fish or other prey, but they are not needed for consuming fruits. Apes also have fangs, which they use for threats and fighting. However, humans do not have fangs.

[edit] Gallery

The canines, or fangs, of a tiger

The fangs of a dog

A cheliceral fang of a tarantula (Lasiodora parahybana)

The fangs of a Gaboon viper

[edit] See also

Look up fang in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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