The puff adder (or Bitis arietans) is a species of venomous snake that is widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the Southern Middle East. It distinguishable by its squat body, broad head and dull scales; these are beige, brown and black, and formed in a reticulated pattern to provide it with excellent camouflage on the savannahs and grasslands where it prefers to live. It’s a slow moving snake, but can reach great speeds when disturbed. Their average length is 1m – although some specimens can reach almost 2m – and males tend to be larger than females, with a wider girth and longer tail.
Latin Name
Bitis arietans
Featured
false
Slug
puff-adder
Site
Thumbnail
Image
Conservation Status
Animal Category
Region
Animal Facts
Puff adders are responsible for most snakebite deaths in Africa.
The puff adder is extremely greedy and has been known to eat itself to death in captivity if offered unlimited food.
The venom of the puff adder can cause extreme pain, low blood pressure and necrosis of tissue.
The puff adder is an aggressive and bad-tempered snake, often remaining ready to attack and never settling when in captivity.
The puff adder can give birth to a great number of live young, with one female recorded as giving birth to 156 young.