Tag Archive for Puff adder

Did You Know? – Puff Adder

Lacey / October 19, 2011 / No comments

This weeks factsheet – Puff Adder!

Puff adder Scientific name: Bitis Arietans Description: South African snake with distinct scales and pattern. Habitat: Widespread throughout most of Sub-saharan Africa. Variable habitat from sand forest to coast they occur anywhere there is food. Venom: Very potent cytotoxic venom. Responsible for cell damage and tissue necrosis which in severe cases can lead to death. Fang: Long, hinged front fang. Size: Average 60-80cm (females larger). Have been found over one metre in length. Hunting Technique: Ambush predators - Puff Adders rely heavily on their camoflague for both hunting and protection. This does however lead to them being trodden on as they do not move out of the way. With a fast strike they immobilise their prey with venom before it has even acknowledged them. Deadly to Humans. Breeding: Ovoviviparous. Eggs are not laid, instead the female incubates the leather-like eggs within her body where they hatch before exiting. Around 20-40 juveniles are born with both fangs and venom and are considered to be more dangerous than adults as they have no control over the amount of venom they inject into their prey. Diet: Predominantly rodents, however will also eat amphibians and birds when available. Did you know: - Puff Adders is from the way they puff/hiss when disturbed. - Despite their short, chubby appearance Puff adders are very good swimmers.

Category: Albizia camp, Bushwire, Environmental Awareness Course / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Snake call out – Baby Puff Adder

Lacey / June 27, 2011 / 3 comments

Here at Umkhumbi Lodge we often get calls from our neighbours to rescue them from snakes, sometimes they are highly venomous and other times are a simple case of mistaken identity.

 

 

In this particular instance our neighbour was right to call us as the little slitherer was a baby puff adder. Even when very young they are still highly venomous and feisty. Puff Adders are well known for using camouflage as defence. In order to remain undetected they do not try and run away like most snakes, they will lay quite still until trodden on – then they bite, hard!

 

 

It’s ok you might think – they have very obvious markings, you could spot them easily…

 

…check out the photo above. Can you spot the puff adder? The bush isn’t very thick, it should be easy, right?
Category: Bushwire, Snake Call out / Tags: , , , , , ,