Abstract
Analysis of the cervical and basicranial region in five genera of snakes indicates that longand short-fanged venomous serpents (Agkistrodon, Crotalus, Naja) possess single or paired, well-developed, medial basioccipital process(es) that receive multiple insertions of rectus capitus muscle slips. Such an arrangement probably facilitates envenomation of prey by these genera. Constricting snakes investigated here (Constrictor, Pituophus) exhibit more lateral insertions of rectus capitus slips on the basicranial region of the skull, perhaps helping to stabilize the skull after prey capture. Investigation of a hypothesized general correlation of fang length and basioccipital process development in venomous snakes seems warranted.
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