Reptile · GBIF taxon 8901465
Puff Adder
Bitis arietansAlso known as African Puff Adder, Common Puff Adder
Puff adders rely on exceptional camouflage, coiling motionless among dry grass and leaf litter to ambush unwary prey. When disturbed, they inflate their bodies and produce a deep warning hiss that can be heard from a considerable distance. Their extremely fast strike speed and potent cytotoxic venom make them a formidable predator throughout African savannahs.
VenomousCamouflagedAmbush Predator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Rodents
- Lizards
- Ground Birds
Predators
- Secretarybird
- Honey Badger
- Eagles
ThreatsHabitat conversion, roadkill, and direct persecution by humans
HabitatsSavannahs, grasslands, open woodlands, and rocky hillsides
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyViperidae
- SpeciesBitis arietans
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Highly venomous with potent cytotoxic venom; maintain a safe distance and never approach or touch.
- Why it is dangerous
- Cytotoxic venom causes severe swelling, rapid tissue necrosis, excruciating pain, and dangerous systemic effects.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a thick body with brown and yellow chevron patterns and a broad, spade-shaped head.
- What to do
- Maintain several meters of distance, stay on clear paths, and never attempt to poke or move the snake.
Responsible observation
- Footwear Precaution: Wear sturdy boots and long pants when walking through thick grass or rocky scrub.
- Flashlight Use: Carry a flashlight during night walks, as these snakes hunt actively after dark.
- Safe Distance: Back away slowly if encountered, giving the snake plenty of room to retreat.
Predator (c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nick Schaller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Schaller · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Lucy Keith-Diagne, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative
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