GABOON VIPER: Dangerous Beauty

The heaviest Snake in the world, Gaboon Viper is easily identified by her broad triangular head.  Her spade-shaped head houses her huge venom sacs.  As an ambush predator, Gaboon Viper anchors her heavy body to the ground.  Stationary, She waits for an unwary animal to come by.  In a lightening fast move, She kills her prey with her venom.

            Because of her sedentary nature, Gaboon Viper is usually underestimated to be a dangerous Snake.  Also, her mellow placid nature lulls people into a false sense of security.  However without warning, Gaboon Viper will bite and kill them.

            Preferring to be invisible, Gaboon Viper digs Herself into the leaf letter of the floor of the African jungle.  Her intricately patterned body also helps to camouflage Her.  Purple and dark browns mix with pastels to create a work of sheer beauty which is her body.  With interlocking diamonds and triangles, sacred geometry is openly displayed on her skin.

            Gaboon Viper seems mellow and colorful.  In addition, her body is a work of art to be admired.  However hidden underneath that beauty is a deadly Snake.  Look but do not touch.  Do not be lulled into a sense of safety.  Remember beauty hides Gaboon Viper’s danger and death.

PUFF ADDER SUB-FAMILY (BITIS): Be Aware of Your Surroundings

            Various Members of the Puff Adder Sub-Family are noted for inflating their bodies and puffing Themselves up.  By forcibly exhaling air, these Snakes make loud warning noises.  Pay head to these hissing alarms since these large stout-bodied Snakes are deadly.  In Africa, Members of the Puff Adder Sub-Family are responsible for the most snake bites among venomous Snakes.

            Members of the Puff Adder Sub-Family can be identified by their massively built bodies and broad triangular heads. Gaboon Viper, the heaviest of all Snakes, is easily identified by her huge head.  In addition, some of these Snakes have horns such as Rhinoceros Viper.  The horns on these Puff Adders are a cluster of enlarged pointed scales on their snouts.

            Because of their large heavy bodies, Members of the Puff Adder Sub-Family are usually ambush hunters.  They may seem sluggish in nature but these Snakes will strike at lightening fast speeds at their victims.  Lying among the leaf litter, They camouflage by Themselves digging in.  In addition, their bodies have ornate patterns making Puff Adders nearly invisible.  An unwary prey will nearly step on one of these Snakes before they are bitten.

            Be aware of your surroundings instruct the Pub Adder Sub-Family.  Because these Snakes are dangerous, people need to watch where they step, for a venomous Snake could be lurking in the leaves.  Be alert and save your life.  

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Science Notes:

1.       Because hognose snakes (Heterodon) will flatten their necks and raise their heads and hiss, they are also called “puff adders”.  However, these snakes are not considered dangerous to humans.

EUROPEAN ADDER (NORTHERN VIPER): Warriorship

The shy European Adder is the only venomous Snake who lives in cold climates.  Living around the Arctic Circle, He shares his winter den (hibernaculum) with thirty or more Snakes.  Sometimes other Reptiles will join Them.  (His den is usually a burrow of another animal.)

            Known for his “mating dance”, European Adder does ritual combat with other Males.  Facing his rival, He will lift the front of his body off the ground.  Swaying from side to side, the two Adders wrap Themselves around the other.  In a snake version of arm wrestling, each Snake tries to force the other to the ground.  Finally, the exhausted Male lands on the ground and slinks off.  Afterwards, the victorious Male will mate with Female European Adder.

            This ritualized combat became known as “Adder Dancing”.  According to British folklore, on May’s eve, European Adders met for a battle royal.  Writhing and hissing, the multitude of fighting Snakes covered the battleground with the froth from their battle.

            Lying in the midst of the battlefield is the “Adder Stone.  The name of this round pale green stone is the “Glain Neidr” (the Glass of the Serpents).  Since this stone contains great power, the possessor of it will be victorious over their enemies.

            European Adder is a warrior.  He fights with other Males, but no one dies needlessly.  During his battle royal, a precious gem is formed.  When spying a human, European Adder will flee instead of forcing a confrontation.  Learn the positive aspects of being a warrior from European Adder.  Fight only when you need to.

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VIPER FAMILY (Viperidae): Appreciate Your Talents

Vipers (Adders, Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Rattlesnakes) are the Snakes that people of the Northern Hemisphere are the most acquainted with.  Found nearly everywhere except in Australia and various islands countries, these stocky Snakes live in cold regions as well.  Usually identified by their triangular heads and short tails, Vipers, also, have long-hinged fangs unlike Cobras.

            Another difference between Cobras and Vipers is their venom.  To cause death in their victims, the venom of Cobras paralyzes the muscles.  Meanwhile, Viper venom causes the collapse of blood pressure of their prey.  Since Vipers have weak digestive system, their venom also breaks down the proteins as well in the victim’s body.

            Scientists have divided the Viper Family into several groups.  Found in the mountains of Asia, Fea’s Vipers (Azemiopinae) flatten their bodies to make Themselves wider.  One of the most primitive of Vipers is the Night Adder (Causinae).  Meanwhile, Pit Vipers (Crotalinae) have a heat sensitive organ (pit) between their eyes and nostrils.  This pit organ gives Them a sixth sense, a sort of primitive eye, which aids these Snakes in finding their prey.  True Vipers or Pitless Vipers (Viperinae) include the Adders, Bush Vipers, Horned Vipers, and Puff Adders.  Since these Snakes have a better tolerance for cold than most Snakes, They can live within the Arctic Circle.

            Scientists have noticed that various Vipers make decisions about using their venom on their prey.  By considering a multitude of factors, Each Snake figures how much to inject.  They usually assess the prey’s species, size, and threat level.  For instance, a large animal may not require as much as a smaller one, depending on the species.

            Appreciate your talents teaches the Viper Family.  Pit Vipers use their “sixth sense” to hunt their prey.  Tolerating the cold, Common Adders burrow deep into the earth during Arctic winters to survive.  Furthermore, many Vipers use their intelligence to decide how much venom to inject into their victims.  Appreciate your talents and use them well.

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