Puff Adder
The Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) is a venomous viper snake species found in African savannah and grasslands.
Type: Reptile
Diet: Rodents, birds, other snakesSize:
Length: Fat snake about 1,5m long
Weight: Protection Status:
Status: Least Concern
Places in which they are found in Zimbabwe:
- Usually found in mountainous areas
- Inyanga Mountains
- Chimanimani Mountains
General Background: The species is probably the most common and widespread snake in the continent. It is responsible for more human bites in Africa than all other snakes combined- most attacks are because its trodden on. Front fangs make venom delivery effective
When disturbed the snake will coil into a defensive S-shaped posture and hiss loudly, hence its common name “Puff adder”. This is used as a warning signal, it’s best not to ignore it, you really don’t want to find out why.
If it becomes agitated, it will resort to an obvious serpentine movement moving surprisingly fast, with possibly deadly consequences.
It can be found in most of sub-Saharan Africa from Morocco and western Arabia up to the Cape of Good Hope. The exceptions are the Sahara desert, rain forest regions, and tropical alpine habitats.
This snake species is also commonly known as African puff adder or common puff adder. Interestingly enough the unrelated American non-venomous hognose snakes are also sometimes referred to as “puff adders”.
The species color pattern varies geographically, varying from yellow, light brown, orange or reddish brown, overlaid with a pattern of dark brown to black chevron-shaped or U-shaped bands.
The belly is white or yellow, with some scattered dark spots. In the head, they have 2 very distinct dark bands, one located on the crown and the other between the eyes. With the exception of the outermost rows, their dorsal scales are strongly keeled.
