fang

A fang is a long, pointed canine tooth. In humans and many animals, fangs are the elongated teeth used for biting, grasping, and defense. The term is also widely used in popular culture to describe the prominent canines of predatory animals or of fictional creatures such as vampires.

In venomous snakes, fangs are specialized, hollow teeth connected to venom glands. They can be front-fanged or rear-fanged and may be fixed or hinged, enabling venom delivery when the snake bites. The venom delivery system is part of the animal's predatory and defensive strategy. Some other venomous reptiles have similar venom-delivery teeth, though the morphology varies.

In culture and media, the word fang often symbolises danger, nocturnal predation, or the idea of a sharp, hollow tooth used to inject venom or poison. The phrase fangs, in plural, is frequently used to describe the pair of upper canine teeth seen in pictures of vampires.

As a proper name, Fang is used as a surname and given name in East Asian contexts, particularly in Chinese transliteration. It also appears in fictional works and in place names.