Puff adder (Bitis arietans)

Tsavo West NP, Kenya. Mar 4, 2023

comments (8)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

Now that's a big boy (or girl)!
It was absolutely hilarious watching it slowly cross the road in a perfectly straight line, looking more like a giant caterpillar than a snake. This is a mode of locomotion that they apparently share with Gaboon vipers, notorious for being the chunkiest of all vipers.
Here an illustration of what I mean:

Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Had no idea about this locomotion, that's so funny. Posted 2 years ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    I know, right?! Posted 2 years ago
3. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Haha, that's awesome. Posted 2 years ago

Calbost Niel

Lion

It is intriguing Thibaud. Bitis is appropriate Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  I did a quick web search trying to figure out which Latin or Greek word is the origin for the genus name. It can't just be the English "bite", right?! Posted 2 years ago
2. 1. Calbost Niel
    
    Lion
    
    I found
    
    Etymology
    Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bities, compare Malay betis. Posted 2 years ago
  2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
      
      Lion
      
      Well done! How odd though, considering the fact the genus is found nowhere near Malaysia! Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago

The Puff adder

The puff adder is a venomous viper species found in savannah and grasslands from Morocco and western Arabia throughout Africa except for the Sahara and rainforest regions. It is responsible for causing the most snakebite fatalities in Africa owing to various factors, such as its wide distribution, frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and aggressive disposition.

Info 13 1

Similar species: Snakes And Lizards

Species identified by Thibaud Aronson