- Name
- Puff Adder [Bitis arietans]
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Squamata
- Family
- Viperidae
- Subspecies
- Common Puff Adder [B. a arietans], Somali Puff Adder [B. a. somalica]
- Length_F
- 1 100 mm
- Length_M
- 1 090 mm
Description
This thick, heavily built snake has a large, flattened, triangular head and large nostrils which point vertically upwards. The body is yellow-brown to light brown, with black, pale-edged chevrons on the back and bars on the tail.
Distribution
Throughout the subcontinent, north through the whole of Africa to Southern Arabia.
Breeding
Large litters, usually consisting of 20 - 40 young are born in late summer.
Venom
Cytotoxic.
Diet
Rodents, sometimes birds and even other snakes.
Field Notes
The Puff Adder is responsible for more bites and fatalities in Africa than any other snake due to its habit of not moving away from approaching footsteps, instead blowing out air as a warning, hence the name.
