Puff Adder

Puff Adder

Bitis arietans

Very widespread viper species, found from as far north as Morocco to the Cape of South Africa. Known for its large size and caterpillar-like locomotion. It is responsible for causing the most snakebite fatalities in Africa, mainly due to being an ambush predator it is easy to stand on one. That and their common occurrence near human habitat.

Size:
Up to nearly 2 metres, but average closer to 1 metre
Diet:
Mammals, frogs & lizards
Speed:
Its strike is one of the fastest in the snake world, in 0.25 seconds it strike out. Generally though the puff adder is slow moving or sit in ambush.
Habitat:
Variety of habitats from the savannah, semi-arid desert, woodland. Not in rainforest.
Superpower:
Expert camouflage! This snake blends in so well amongst leaf litter they avoid detection from prey who unexpectedly go within the strike distance.