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Mechanics of snake biting: Experiments and modelling
Lakshminath Kundanati1, Roberto Guarino1, Michele Menegon2
1Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123, Trento, Italy.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|August 27, 2020
Summary
Snake fangs, crucial for venom delivery, were studied for their puncturing mechanics. Researchers found fang shape, not material, significantly impacts insertion force, paving the way for bioinspired needle design.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Zoology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Snakes possess highly evolved venom delivery systems, with fangs adapted for mechanical loads during prey capture.
- Understanding fang mechanics and tissue interaction is key to the form-function relationship in snake fangs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and model the puncturing mechanics of snake fangs.
- To analyze the relationship between fang shape, mechanical properties, and insertion forces.
- To explore the potential for bioinspired needle design based on snake fang principles.
Main Methods:
- Comparative insertion experiments using fangs from viper (Bitis arietans) and burrowing snake (Atractaspis aterrima) species.
- Utilized tissue phantoms to simulate biological tissue during fang insertion.
- Developed and validated an analytical model for fang-tissue interaction.
Main Results:
- Fang mechanical properties were found to be similar between the two studied species.
- Significant differences in insertion forces were observed, attributed to variations in fang shape.
- The analytical model demonstrated good agreement with experimental insertion data.
Conclusions:
- Fang shape is a critical determinant of insertion force in snake fangs.
- The study provides insights for developing bioinspired needles with optimized tissue penetration and reduced insertion forces.
- Findings contribute to understanding biomechanical adaptations in venom delivery systems.
