In a groundbreaking discovery, the Australian Reptile Park has found an exceptionally rare three-fanged Death Adder, which is producing significantly more venom than its two-fanged counterparts. This unique specimen was discovered during routine venom milking, a process crucial for antivenom production. The presence of a third fang, located on the left side of the snake's mouth, has sparked curiosity and intrigue among herpetologists and venom researchers.
Death Adders are a group of highly venomous snakes native to Australia and New Guinea. Typically, these snakes possess two fangs. However, the discovery of a third fang in this particular Death Adder has set a new precedent at the Australian Reptile Park, which has been operational for 20 years and has milked hundreds of thousands of snakes. This is the first instance of a three-fanged snake being encountered at the park.
The third fang was discovered when the Death Adder was being milked for venom, a task it has been part of for approximately seven years as part of the park's antivenom production program. Billy Collett from the Australian Reptile Park expressed astonishment at the discovery.
"This is something we've never seen before," said Billy Collett.
The presence of the extra fang results in "massive yields" of venom, with the third fang alone producing roughly double the amount compared to typical two-fanged Death Adders. While it is unclear whether this increased output is directly linked to the additional fang or if this individual snake naturally produces larger quantities of venom, the implications are significant for antivenom development.
The Australian Reptile Park has been instrumental in producing antivenom, which has drastically reduced the fatality rate from Death Adder bites. Historically, before antivenom was developed, nearly 50% of bites from these snakes were fatal. The additional venom produced by this rare snake could potentially enhance the efficiency of antivenom extraction and production.
However, the exact reason behind the development of the third fang remains a mystery. The process of fang replacement—a natural occurrence in snakes—might play a role in this phenomenon. A spokesperson for the Australian Reptile Park noted that currently, there are no facilities available to conduct tests to determine the cause of the additional fang.
"Unfortunately, we don't actually know what has caused the 3rd fang to develop and don't currently have the facilities to run any tests," stated the spokesperson.
Billy Collett further elaborated on their experience with the unusual Death Adder.
"We've had this death adder in the venom program for about seven years, but only recently did we notice the third fang. I thought it would just shed off over time, but one year later, and it's still there!" he said.
The discovery not only adds to the mystique of these elusive creatures but also poses potential risks. Collett remarked on the heightened danger posed by this particular snake.
"This might actually be the most dangerous death adder in the world," he commented.
