The Common Puff Adder is a venomous snake found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa. There is also an isolated population of Puff Adders found in Morocco.
There are currently two recognized sub-species, the nominal Common Puff Adder and the Somali Puff Adder.
The scientific name for the Common Puff Adder is Bitis arietans arietans while the scientific name for the Somali Puff Adder is Bitis arietans somalica.
The Puff Adder is responsible for more fatalities than any other snake in Africa. A number of factors contribute to this including their wide distribution, aggressive nature and proximity to populated areas.
Puff Adder Taxonomy
The Puff Adder belongs to the Bitus genus of the Viper family of snake. Vipers are among the most common venomous snakes and consists of species such as Rattlesnakes and Moccasins.
In general, Vipers have large hinged fangs that detract as they strike. This allows the snake to inject venom deep into the body of a victim.
There are 4 sub-families of Viper. These are: Azemiopinae (Fea’s Viper), Crotalinae (Pit Vipers), Causinae (Night Adders) and Viperinae (True Vipers or Non-Pit Vipers). The Puff Adder belongs to the Crotalinae family of Vipers.
This means that they are closely related to the other snakes in this sub-family. Other species in this family of Vipers include Rattlesnakes, Moccasins, Bushmasters and Asian Lanceheads.
The genus of snake that they belong to is called Bitis. This genus consists of 18 different species which includes the Albany Adder, Mountain Adder and the Horned Adder.
The Puff Adder itself can be broken up into two subspecies, the nominal Common Puff Adder and the Somali Puff Adder.
Puff Adder Description
They are a heavy bodied snake that usually only grows to around 3 or 4 foot in length. Unlike many species of snake, male Puff Adders generally grow larger than females.
The colour and patterning of this snake can vary depending on location. One common feature is a dark triangular shape pattern on the top of their head. This pattern usually merges with the dark patterns that run down the snake’s body.
They have another two dark blotches on their head, one behind either eye. These are located over the venom glands which make them appear much more prominent.
The base colour of the snake can vary greatly. It can be a dull yellow or light brown anywhere to an orange or reddish colour. Darker bands run across the snakes back and sides while the underside of the snake is white or and often contains black freckling.
Distribution and Habitat
This is probably the most widespread snake in all of Africa. They are found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa with an isolated population also occurring in Morocco and Niger.
It can also be found in parts of the Arabian Peninsula in countries such as Yemen, Oman and South-Western Saudi Arabia. The Somali Puff Adders range consists of Somalia, Eastern Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.
They are common in almost every part of sub-Saharan Africa except for the Rainforest region of Western and Central Africa. This includes countries such as Gabon, Republic of Congo and most of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The preferred habitat of the Puff Adder is grassland or rocky outcrops, but they thrive in a wide range of habitats which is why they are so widespread. The only places these snakes aren’t found is in true deserts, rainforests and mountaintops.
Puff Adder Venom
They have a cytotoxic venom. This type of venom destroys tissue and can lead to necrosis. The venom eats away at tissue from the inside with irreversible consequences.
The venom is slow acting relative to other snake venom, but it is considered one of the most potent Viper venoms in the world. They are responsible for more deaths in Africa than any other snake, including the Black Mamba.
It is estimated that it would only take about 100mg of Puff Adder venom to kill an adult human while their average bite yields between 150mg-350mg.
When bitten, a victim will experience severe pain, blistering and nausea. As the venom eats away at tissue it can cause permanent damage and scarring. In severe cases it can result in gangrene and secondary infections. This can even lead to loss of limbs.
