Despite popular belief, vampire fangs are a newer addition to vampire lore. This trope, like many others, was introduced by Varney the Vampire.
Use[]
In modern lore, vampire fangs are used to gain access to a victim's blood, usually by biting the neck, or another area connected to a major artery. They are also sometimes used in combat, as vampires will often bite anyone who attempts to bring them harm, or whom they consider a threat.
The bite from the fangs is also believed in many tellings to turn a victim into a vampire, but the conditions in which this occurs vary by telling, as not all victims are "turned".
Physiology[]
The fangs are usually depicted taking the place of human canines on the top or upper row of teeth, although variations in placement occur, such as in Nosferatu, where the incisors were the fangs to make Count Orlock resemble a rat. There are usually only one set of fangs, although this, too, varies by depiction.
The length and sharpness of the fangs vary from onecdepiction to the next depiction. In some depictions, they are retractable and are only visible right before biting one's victim.
Gallery[]
