“The puff adder is thought to be responsible for more snake bites and fatalities than any other species in Africa.”

This large snake is so-named because it will puff up its body to appear bigger than it is when directly threatened by a predator or person. As a highly aggressive and venomous species, contact with them should be avoided at all costs. This article will cover some interesting facts about the identification, size, location, venom, and diet of the puff adder.

5 Incredible Puff Adder Facts!

• The puff adder’s mating season takes place every year between October and December, when females will release a strong pheromone to attract a mate. After a lengthy courtship ritual and so-called combat dance, in which the snakes appear to writhe around and wrestle, the female will either choose to accept or reject him. Both sexes will have multiple mates per season.
• Once impregnated, the female will lay 20 to 50 live young (not eggs) in April. The offspring will reach sexual maturity at four years old and have a typical lifespan of 13 to 16 years in captivity. Lifespan in the wild, so often cut short by predators, is difficult to estimate.
• Like most snakes, puff adders can sense vibrations through the ground.
• In the wild, puff adders have several potential predators, including eagles, hornbills, warthogs, honey badgers, and cobras. Their dull colors enable them to blend in with the surrounding environment and avoid detection. They also have the ability to mask their scent.
• Puff adders can be active day or night, but they tend to be nocturnal predators, meaning they come out at night to hunt for prey.

Where to Find Puff Adders

The puff adder can be found in various semi-arid locations, including savannas, open forests, and grasslands, throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Arabia, and Morocco. These snakes do need a source of water nearby and an adequate amount of coverage. However, they are not generally found in the rainforest habitats of central Africa.

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Scientific Name

The scientific name of the puff adder is Bitis arietans. This name is derived from the Latin word arieto, meaning to strike violently. Puff adders are closely related to the horned adder, red adder, and other species within the genus Bitis. Because of its wide geographical distribution, there are two recognized subspecies: the African puff adder and the Somali puff adder.

Puff adders go by a few names which include common puff adder and African puff adder.

Population and Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the puff adder is considered to be a species of least concern. We do not have enough facts about their population numbers to make a good estimate, but they appear to be very common and widespread across most of their natural range.

Appearance and Description

The puff adder is a very thick, medium-sized snake, measuring an average of about three feet long. It is characterized by tan, brown, gold, and even gray skin colors with irregular wavy patterns, alternating between dark and light, along the side of the body. The subdued colors help them blend in with their natural habitats. Although the sexes are otherwise similar to each other in appearance, females can be distinguished from males by the slightly shorter tail. The size difference should help quite a bit in the identification of the sexes.

How to identify the puff adder:

• Big, thick body that reaches up to five feet long
• Triangle-shaped head
• Long sharp fangs that inject venom
• Alternating dark and light wavy or chevron patterns

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Venom: How Dangerous Are They?

The puff adder produces a powerful toxin that directly attacks and destroys tissue. Some of the effects of its toxin include bleeding, swelling, pain, nausea, local muscle weakness, and tenderness. The venom is intended to completely immobilize smaller prey so they cannot escape from or injure the snake in any way. Although the venom is highly dangerous, the prognosis is generally quite good for people who receive the antivenom treatment in time. Without the antivenom, however, the fatality rate can easily exceed 15% (depending on the severity of the bite).

Behavior and Humans

There are several factors that make these snakes incredibly dangerous to people, including their large size, their wide geographical range, their tendency to bask on footpaths, and their long fangs and very toxic venom. Because they like to wait quietly for prey while camouflaged against the ground, people will often stumble upon them without even noticing they are there. When directly threatened or disturbed, they would rather stand their ground than flee. They will puff up their bodies and give a warning hiss before striking.

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