Details
Bitis arietans
The puff adder is a heavy venomous snake widespread in African open habitats. Slow-moving but well camouflaged, it strikes quickly when prey comes close.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits Afrotropical savanna and grassland, including shrubland and farmland edges. Ground cover that conceals the body is important.
Total length 90-140 cm; weight 2-6 kg. The thick body carries dark chevron markings, with a broad triangular head, short tail, and rough scales.
Nocturnal and solitary, it inflates the body and exhales loudly when threatened. If pressure continues, it can strike with sudden speed.
A carnivore, it eats small mammals, birds, lizards, and frogs. Ambush strikes and venom subdue prey.
It bears live young, sometimes in large litters. Newborns are independent and begin hunting small prey soon after birth.
It is listed as Least Concern. Because it also occurs near people, accidental bites can happen when hidden snakes are stepped on.
