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.

AFRICAN PUFF ADDER: Pay Attention

Found throughout Africa, African Puff Adder (Bitis arientans) is responsible for many lethal snake bites.  A seemingly sluggish Snake, He can strike at his victims at lightening fast speeds.  In fact, this bad-tempered Snake is credited with the most fatalities from Snakes in Africa.

            Active at night, African Puff Adder enjoys swimming in the water.  Later, He will lay on a warm road which retains the sun’s warmth.  During the day, African Puff Adder basks in the sun either on shrubs or in footpaths.

            Before striking, African Puff Adder puffs Himself up and hisses a warning.  Since He is the fastest striking Snake in the world, African Puff Adder will strike deep into his victim’s flesh.  Many times, his prey will die from physical trauma before succumbing to the venom.  Moreover, African Puff Adder can strike sideways as well as front ways.  So his victims have no opportunity to escape.

            Pay attention hisses African Puff Adder.  You need to look where you walk or you will step on a Snake.  Be prepared and not be surprised at anything or you will not be able to get away.

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.

RATTLESNAKE FAMILY (Crotalus and Sistrurus): Non-aggression and Self-defense

“Rattlesnake” is a generic name for thirty species (and numerous subspecies) of Snakes in the Crotalus and Sistrus groups of the Pit-Viper Sub-family.  These Snakes have a distinctive rattle at the end of their tails.  This rattle consists of buttons of keratin, which makes a sound when knocked together.  (However, the larger the Snake’s rattle, the quieter the sound.)

            Rattlesnakes are native to the Americas.  Emblematic of the American Old West, these Snakes are often depicted coiled, ready to strike.  Most notable of the Rattlesnakes are Diamondbacks with their characteristic diamond-patterned skins.  Meanwhile, Sidewinders wind their way through the deserts across loose sand in a diagonal direction.  But, the reputation of Rattlesnakes as aggressors are underserved since They pose no threat unless provoked.

            Although most Rattlesnakes belong to the Crotalus grouping, Pigmy Rattlesnakes belong to the Sistrurus grouping.  These Rattlesnakes make tiny buzzing noises that are often difficult to hear.  Another member of the Sistrurus grouping is Massasauga (Black Rattler).  This Snake lives as far north as the region of the Great Lakes.  In comparison to other Rattlesnakes, the rattles of the Sistrurae are small and make a high-pitched buzzing sound.

            Usually non-belligerent, Rattlesnakes will defend Themselves when cornered.  Although their venom is not particularly toxic, their large fangs do deliver a great amount of venom.  However before They strike, Rattlesnakes will shake their tails in warning.

            Before striking, Rattlesnakes warm everyone of their presence, They do this to avoid being stepped on.  Also, Rattlesnakes do not want to strike and waste their venom needlessly.  They prefer non-confrontation where the intruder steps asides or moves on.  In other words, when you hear the rattle sound, run in the opposite direction.  Heed the sound and be safe.

            Rattlesnakes teach non-aggression and self-defense.  These Snakes prefer being left alone and not being pestered.  However Rattlesnakes will ably defend Themselves with their venom if need be.

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