Karl Schafer, age 11, of San Diego, Calif., for his question:
How do a snake's fangs work?
This is the summer season when young adventurers go forth to explore the wondrous outdoors. But . . . let's remember that there also are some solemn bewares. True, Mother Nature shows us a world of wonders but she whacks the careless ones. One of her most deadly whips is a poisonous snake.
The time to do our research on poisonous snakes was during the late winter, before the summer season coaxed us out into the wilds. That was the sensible time to prepare our selves by learning to identify the particular snaky enemies are likely to meet in our home states and also those we might meet in places where we plan to vacation.
Local libraries have this information, usually adorned with color portraits of the deadly types. Armed with this information, we can recognize rattlers and other poisonous snakes in time to run, not walk, away from deadly danger.
Karl's question sprang from a scientific interest in biology, with no plans to investigate the deadly fangs for himself. In this case, we must depend on answers from trained experts who have investigated the problem under maximum security. They tell us that a rattler's fangs, though deadly dangerous, are highly sophisticated weapons and several million years were needed to perfect them.
His two fangs are long, hollow and dagger sharp. One is rooted, hinged and sheathed on each side near the front of his upper jaw. When not in use, the hinges fold back to lay them flat inside his mouth. Above each fang is a sac of glandular tissue. This is where copious supplies of the deadly venom are manufactured and held in readiness for attack.
The rattler has mysterious sense organs that detect odors, flavors and temperature. When this sensory news indicates the nearness of a warm blooded creature, the rattler prepares to strike. The fangs are lowered, and now point down at right angles to his jaw. His aim is excellent, and in a fraction of a second, the fangs dig two dagger sharp wounds into his victim's flesh.
At this moment, intricate muscles in the jaw and head squeeze venom from the sacs along ducts and down into the hollow centers of the fangs. Holes in the sharp tips inject lethal doses of his poison deep into the wounds. In a flash, the fangs are withdrawn and the snake rears, ready to strike again.
Some folk assure us that the snake always rattles his tail before striking. It may prove fatal to depend onthis notion because some¬times he fails to give this warning signal. Nor does he have to rear into the usual striking position before dealing a deadly blow. And though some say he cannot strike an object directly over his head, fast action cameras prove that he can.