The Puff adder (Bitis arietans) is a venomous viper species. This snake is responsible for causing the most snakebite fatalities in Africa owing to various factors, such as its wide distribution, frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and aggressive disposition.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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Ambush predatorAmbush predators are carnivorous animals that capture or trap prey by stealth, luring, or by (typically instinctive) strategies utilizing an elemen...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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PolygynandryPolygynandry is a mating system in which both males and females have multiple mating partners during a breeding season.
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VenomousVenom is a type of poison, especially one secreted by an animal. It is delivered in a bite, sting, or similar action. Venom has evolved in terrestr...
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Dominance hierarchyA dominance hierarchy (formerly and colloquially called a pecking order) is a type of social hierarchy that arises when members of animal social gr...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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AestivationAestivation is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, although taking place in the summer rather than the winter. Aestivation is chara...
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starts withThe color pattern of Puff adders varies geographically. Their head has two well-marked dark bands: one on the crown and the other between the eyes. On the sides of the head, there are two oblique dark bands or bars that run from the eye to the supralabials. Below, the head is yellowish-white with scattered dark blotches. Dorsally, the ground-color varies from straw yellow, to light brown, to orange or reddish-brown. This is overlaid with a pattern of 18-22 backwardly-directed, dark brown to black bands that extend down the back and tail. Usually, these bands are roughly chevron-shaped but maybe more U-shaped in some areas. They also form 2-6 light and dark cross-bands on the tail. Some populations are heavily flecked with brown and black, often obscuring other coloration, giving the animal a dusty-brown or blackish appearance. The belly is yellow or white, with a few scattered dark spots. Newborn young have golden head markings with pinkish to reddish ventral plates toward the lateral edges.
Puff adders are 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, 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. These snakes also occur on the Arabian peninsula, where they are found in southwestern Saudi Arabia and Yemen. They have also been reported to be found in the Dhofar region of southern Oman. Puff adders inhabit arid areas like savannas, shrublands, and rocky grasslands. They also occur in cultivated areas and around human settlements. They avoid deserts and dense forests.
Puff adders are solitary and nocturnal creatures. Although they spend most of their time on the ground, these snakes are good swimmers and can also climb with ease; often they are found basking in low bushes. One specimen even was found 4.6 m above the ground in a densely branched tree. Puff adders are normally sluggish and rely on camouflage for protection. When agitated, they can resort to a typical serpentine movement and move with surprising speed. If disturbed, these snakes will hiss loudly and continuously, adopting a tightly coiled defensive posture with the forepart of their body held in a taut "S" shape. At the same time, they may attempt to back away from the threat towards cover. Puff adders may strike suddenly and fast, to the side as easily as forwards, before returning quickly to the defensive position, ready to strike again. They can strike to a distance of about one-third of their body length, but juveniles will launch their entire bodies forward in the process. These snakes rarely grip their victims, instead releasing quickly to return to the striking position.
The venom of this species has cytotoxic effects and is one of the most toxic of any vipers based on LD50. The LD50 values in mice vary from 0.4-2 mg/kg intravenously, 0.9-3.7 mg/kg peritoneally, and 4.4-7.7 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC). About 100 mg is thought to be enough to kill a healthy adult human male, with death occurring after 25 hours. In humans, bites from this species can produce severe local and systemic symptoms. 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. In both cases, severe pain and tenderness occur, but in the latter, widespread superficial or deep necrosis and compartment syndrome are seen. Serious bites cause limbs to become immovably flexed as a result of significant hemorrhage or coagulation in the affected muscles. Residual induration, however, is rare and usually, these areas completely resolve. Other bite symptoms that may occur in humans include edema, which may become extensive, shock, watery blood oozing from the puncture wounds, nausea and vomiting, subcutaneous bruising, blood blisters that may form rapidly, and painful swelling of the regional lymph nodes. The swelling usually decreases after a few days, except for the area immediately around the bite site. Hypotension, together with weakness, dizziness, and periods of semi- or unconsciousness is also reported. If not treated carefully, necrosis will spread, causing skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle to separate from healthy tissue and eventually slough with serous exudate. The slough may be superficial or deep, sometimes down to the bone. Gangrene and secondary infections commonly occur and can result in the loss of digits and limbs.
Puff adders are carnivores. Their prey includes mammals, birds, amphibians, tortoises, and lizards. Juveniles feed on small rodents, insects, and small frogs.
Puff adders are polygynandrous (promiscuous) meaning that both males and females have multiple partners. Their mating season usually takes place between October and December. During this time females produce a pheromone to attract males, which engage in neck-wrestling combat dances. Puff adders are viviparous and females give birth to 50-60 live young after the gestation period that lasts 136-159 days. Newborns are 12.5-17.5 cm in length; they are completely independent at birth and are ready to care for themselves. Young Puff adders usually become reproductively mature when they are 4 years old.
There are no major threats to Puff adders at present.
According to IUCN Red List, the Puff adder is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Puff adders are important predators in their ecosystem as they control populations of many prey species they feed on. They also help control populations of pests as these snakes are often found near human settlements and prey on rodents. Young Puff adders prey on various insects and also can play a useful role for farmers.
