Puff Adder

Bitis arietans

Geographical Locale

• Probably the most common and widespread snake in Africa and found throughout the continent except for deserts and thickly forested areas.

Appearance

• Two enlarged venom fangs fixed in the front of the upper jaw.
• Solid teeth in both jaws.
• Average size about 3' long but very wide; widths of over 15 1/2" have been seen.
• Head blunt & rounded and much wider than neck and body; almost triangular in shape.
• Often two fangs on the jaw and both can be functional.
• Colours vary according to geography but head usually has two dark bands; one on the crown and one between the eyes.
• Colours range from dull yellow to light brown and even orange or reddish brown. Males can have striking yellow and gold colour patterns.
• V-shaped markings are present all the way down their back but getting lighter towards the tail.
• Iris’ range from gold to silver grey.
• Stomach is yellow or white with some darker spots.

Venom

• Extremely poisonous and one of the most toxic. Cytotoxic – cell killing – and Neurotoxic – attacking the victim’s central nervous system.

The Bite

• Wound shows two teeth marks and is painful.
• Swelling develops within 10 to 30 minutes.

Lifecycle

• Females produce a pheromone to attract males.
• Give birth to high numbers of young; 50 or 60 being the average.
• Hatchlings are between 4 1/2" and 7" long.
• Newborns have golden head markings.

Habits

• Generally rocky grasslands as they are a sluggish species that rely on camouflage for protection.
• Mainly terrestrial but good swimmers that can also climb.
• Often found basking by footpaths and tend to remain still in the presence of an intruder.
• Extremely willing to bite and able to strike at very high speed and from a distance of about one third of their body length.
• Mostly nocturnal.
• Reluctant to forage and hunt; more likely to ambush prey ‘as it passes’.
• Diet consists of mammals, birds, lizards and amphibians.