Poisonous snake (poisonous snake)

Japanese: 毒ヘビ(毒蛇) - どくへび（英語表記）poisonous snake

A general term for snakes with venom glands and fangs, most of which belong to the Elapidae and Viperidae families. There are about 450 species of dangerous venomous snakes, distributed widely around the world, but in addition to these, there are many species that have fangs but are less toxic and do no harm. The venom glands that secrete the venom develop from the salivary glands, and there are a pair on each side behind the upper jaw, connected to the base of the venom fangs by ducts. Although the venom is used secondary as a weapon of self-defense, its primary purpose is to catch and kill prey.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

毒腺と毒牙（どくが）を備えたヘビ類の総称で，大半がコブラ科とクサリヘビ科に含まれる。世界の危険な毒ヘビは約450種で，全世界に広く分布するが，これらのほかにも毒牙を備えるものの毒性が弱く，実害のない種類もかなりある。毒液を分泌する毒腺は唾液腺から発達したもので，上あごの後方に左右1対あり，導管によって毒牙の基部に通じている。毒液は二次的には自衛の武器として用いられるが，本来の目的は獲物の捕殺にある。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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