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View Full Version : The difference between Teeth/Fangs and Claws


Phoenix333
Apr 16, 2007, 01:58 PM
I have been researching Teeth and claws a bit...
And have come to find that both can be envenomed.
Some claws (centipedes and spiders) are right at the mouth area.

So my question 1:
What is the difference? Is it merely a matter of location: Fangs are Inside the mouth of the animal and claws are anything outside that region.. .

And even if that is the case, if someone found a fang like/claw like piece of an animal.
How do they distinguish between the two?


Question 2:
Is there a branch of zoology that focuses on the study of Fangs/claws (especially envenomed verity)? I would like to follow up on this research.

u08dc4
May 25, 2007, 07:21 AM
They are made of completely different materials, you might have some trouble with your research as the animals your looking up with "claws" are invertebrates where as the "fangs" are vertebrates. Their evolutionary history is different, they aren't built the same. The fangs which contain venom are more recently developed and are much more advanced. Its not so much to do with where their placed but what the physiology of the animal is. Hmmm not even sure I understand what I just typed sorry! :)