Written by Jackie Lewis Illustrated by Cindy Crew. [4][7], This article is about the venomous snake native to Africa. The female puff adders produce a pheromone to attract males. The first three or four sublabials contact the chin shields, of whichs only one pair exists. It is found in all habitats except true deserts, rainforests, and (tropical) alpine habitats. The belly is yellow or white, with a few scattered dark spots. They remain inactive most of the day. This is a beautiful story, written in the first person in a direct authentic child's voice. This species cannot inject venom into larger animals such as humans unless allowed to hold on for some time, and even then its venom is not dangerous to humans. If the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is turned over onto its belly, it will promptly flip onto its back and play dead again. This species is thick-bodied and can flatten out its neck (like a cobra’s hood) during defensive displays. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). Venom yield is typically 150–350 mg, with a maximum of 750 mg.[3] Brown (1973) mentions a venom yield of 180–750 mg.[14] About 100 mg are thought to be enough to kill a healthy adult human male, with death occurring after 25 hours. Tell us about your puff adder experience in the comment section below. These are strongly keeled except for the outermost rows. The 6 greatest animal migrations in Africa, The 20 best malaria-free safari destinations, A female puff adder’s pheromone is very attractive. Across the top of the head, there are 7–11 interocular scales; three or four scales separate the suboculars and the supralabials. Let’s have a look at the subspecies of puff adders and know about their range and habitat. US Govt. Puff adders generally bask in low bushes. Venomous Snakes of the World. The fangs apparently can penetrate soft leather. They are mostly found in rocky grasslands. (2003) give an LD50 range of 1.0–7.75 mg/kg SC. Chambers Murray Latin-English Dictionary (1976). They may strike suddenly and fast, to the side as easily as forwards, before returning quickly to the defensive position, ready to strike again. Gangrene and secondary infections commonly occur and can result in loss of digits and limbs. In late June or July, females lay between 7–40 eggs, which hatch after about two months, and the hatchlings are approximately 20 cm in length. Specimens from Saudi Arabia are not as large, usually no more than 80 cm (31 in) in total length. 2004. Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) - © Johan Marais. The puff adder (Bitis arietans) is a venomous viper species found in savannah and grasslands from Morocco and western Arabia throughout Africa except for the Sahara and rain forest regions. It is also the only snake in the province that can flatten its neck into a “hood” as a cobra does. Some populations are heavily flecked with brown and black, often obscuring other coloration, giving the animal a dusty-brown or blackish appearance. - © Johan Marais, Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) - giving birth. [3][7] Although mainly terrestrial, these snakes are good swimmers and can also climb with ease; often they are found basking in low bushes. New York: Sterling Publishers. 1972. 480 pp. One morning Opal finds an unusual snake when she is hanging out laundry for her mother. Large specimens of 190 cm (75 in) total length, weighing over 6.0 kg (13.2 lb) and with a girth of 40 cm (16 in) have been reported. The rostral scale is small. Like other snakes, its body is covered with scales. Swelling usually decreases after a few days, except for the area immediately around the bite site. This species is probably the most common and widespread snake in Africa. Based on the degree and type of local effect, bites can be divided into two symptomatic categories - those with little or no surface extravasation, and those with hemorrhages evident as ecchymosis, bleeding, and swelling. A Kenyan female in a Czech zoo gave birth to 156 young, the largest litter for any species of snake. ISBN 0-7136-6817-2. Newborns are 12.5–17.5 cm in length. [3] It is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa south to the Cape of Good Hope, including southern Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, southern Algeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, northern, eastern, and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is so named because it gives warning by inflating its body and hissing loudly. Their habitat ranges from sub-Saharan Africa to the Cape of Good Hope. Follow us for instant access to all of our best safari & wildlife content: 8 Tips to research & choose the right safari company, When, where & how to see the great migration. Polyvalent antivenom is effective and should be administered sooner rather than later. In Ontario, the Eastern Foxsnake, Massasauga and Milksnake also have blotches running down the back and sides, and the Northern Watersnake can have faint banding. On the sides of the head, two oblique, dark bands or bars run from the eye to the supralabials. In both cases, severe pain and tenderness occur, but in the latter, widespread superficial or deep necrosis and compartment syndrome are seen. Living Snakes of the World in Color. Normally a sluggish species, the puff adder relies on camouflage for protection. Ralph Curtis Books. The puff adder is one of the viper species belonging to the Viperidae family. Franklin Watts. [6] The type locality given is "Promontorio bonae spei" (Cape of Good Hope), South Africa. You can read the list below. The venom has cytotoxic effects[13] and is one of the most toxic of any vipers based on LD50. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. Not, Highly venomous Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angustice, We maintain a list of over 600 snake removers from, Dwarf Beaked Snake (Dipsina multimaculata) When disturbed, the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake will raise its head, flatten its neck as a cobra does and hiss loudly, sometimes lunging toward the threat. The scales of the eastern hog-nosed snake are keeled (ridged down the centre), and the underside of the tail is noticeably lighter in colour than the belly. One puff adder was found. If this impressive display does not scare away a potential predator, the snake may roll onto its back and play dead with its mouth gaping and tongue hanging out, emit a foul-smelling odour and sometimes defecate or regurgitate food. Dorsally, the ground color varies from straw yellow, to light brown, to orange or reddish brown. The anal scale is single.[3]. [3], The color pattern varies geographically. The females give birth to large numbers of offspring. Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. Status according to Red List: Not Evaluated. [10], The snake's typical size is about 1.0 m (39.3 in) in total length (body and tail) and very stout. Much of its life is spent in camouflage mode and recent research has shown that when hiding, the Puff Adder will not hiss or strike when approached, as this would give away its presence. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. [4], This species is responsible for more snakebite fatalities than any other African snake, due to a combination of factors, including its wide distribution, common occurrence, large size, potent venom that is produced in large amounts, long fangs, and their habit of basking by footpaths and sitting quietly when approached.[3][4][7]. [5], German naturalist Blasius Merrem described the puff adder in 1820. Puff adders are nocturnal snakes and they ambush their prey. Our wildlife guide to the puff adder features all the details of these reptiles. For the non-venomous snake native to North America, see. https://www.britannica.com/animal/puff-adder. When they are threatened by an intruder, they become violent and can chase the offender with a surprising speed. ISBN 0-89464-877-2. Male puff adders are larger than females. The habitat of puff adder includes all regions except true deserts, rainforests, and tropical habitats. This can last several days or even weeks. It also occurs on the Arabian Peninsula, where it is found in southwestern Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The slough may be superficial or deep, sometimes down to the bone. [3] The LD50 values in mice vary: 0.4–2.0 mg/kg intravenously, 0.9–3.7 mg/kg peritoneally, and 4.4–7.7 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC). It is a heavy-bodied snake that relies on its excellent camouflage and is reluctant to move. What are Africa’s most dangerous animals? Locomotion is primarily rectilinear , using the broad ventral scales in a caterpillar fashion and aided by its own weight for traction. It is generally not aggressive, but will bite if it feels threatened or provoked or if accidentally stepped on. More information you will get on the web page of the IUCN Red List. [9] They are bad-tempered snakes, and some specimens never settle down in captivity, always hissing and puffing when approached. Road mortality is a threat to this species, especially in southern Ontario where road density and traffic volume are high. The head of a puff adder is yellowish-white and scattered with dark blotches. Most fatalities are associated with poor clinical management and neglect. In Canada, the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake is limited to southern and central Ontario. Please log in again. At the same time, they may attempt to back away from the threat towards cover. A Field Guide to the Reptiles Of East Africa. puff adder Bedeutung, Definition puff adder: a poisonous African snake that swells to a larger size when it is attacked. (A First Book). ISBN 0-486-26629-X. The Eastern Hognose Snake or "Puff Adder," quite rare now in Ontario, is a great bluffer. [7], The head has a less than triangular shape with a blunt and rounded snout. [12] It is not found in rainforest areas, such as along the coast of West Africa and in Central Africa (i.e., central DR Congo); it is also absent from the Mediterranean coastal region of North Africa. Others may lack patterning altogether and are a solid colour, usually olive, grey or black. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Habitat loss, especially shoreline development in beach and dune habitats, continues to threaten this species in Canada. The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake inhabits fields, forests, forest clearings, shrubland, beaches and dune habitats. This snake keeps its mouth closed during these bluff strikes. [11], Normally a sluggish species, the puff adder relies on camouflage for protection. Did you know that we present online courses too? When in danger it hisses loudly and spreads its neck like a cobra. Snake bite treatment. The puff adder has a triangular and rounded snout. In humans, bites from this species can produce severe local and systemic symptoms. Persecution by humans is a significant threat because uninformed people often kill Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes, mistaking their defensive display for that of a dangerous species. It has a cytotoxic venom. 543 pp. [12] Very large specimens, particularly those from East Africa, give birth to the highest numbers of offspring. The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake has an unmistakable upturned snout, which gives this species its name. Fichter GS. Gives birth to a litter of 30–80 individuals. This behaviour is meant to deter predators that do not eat dead or rotten animals.

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