La vipera della morte (o Acanthophis antarcticus) è un serpente velenoso che vive nelle praterie, nelle foreste e nelle terre incolte dell'Australia meridionale e orientale. Ha la testa piatta e triangolare, il corpo basso, una coda rapida e affusolata, disegni a strisce marrone chiaro, marrone scuro e grigio per camuffarsi tra le foglie morte e altri detriti. In media, è lunga tra i 70 e i 100 centimetri.
Latin Name
Acanthophis antarcticus
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common-death-adder
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Animal Facts
The common death adder has the longest fangs of any Australian venomous snake.
The common death adder hides under leaf litter for long periods of time, twitching its grub-like tail to lure prey, and strikes when any unsuspecting animals move across its hiding place.
The common death adder has the fastest strike of all venomous snakes in Australia.
Although highly venomous, the common death adder is not aggressive and is rarely a danger to humans.
It is thought that the name 'death adder' was originally 'deaf adder' because common death adders, like all snakes, cannot hear airborne sounds and instead feel vibrations on the ground.