A stout, broadly distributed African viper responsible for more snakebite injuries on the continent than any other species.
Description
The puff adder is a heavy-bodied snake usually about a metre long, with grey to yellow ground colour and a series of dark brown crescent-shaped markings forming a chain along the back. The head is large and triangular, distinctly set off from the neck.
Behavior
A patient ambush hunter, the puff adder relies on camouflage and stays motionless on game trails, often refusing to move even when approached. It strikes with great force using long fangs and a cytotoxic venom that causes severe tissue damage. Most African snakebites come from this species.
Range
Distributed across most of sub-Saharan Africa and into the southern Arabian Peninsula and Morocco. It tolerates a wide range of habitats and is the most widely encountered venomous snake on the African continent.
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