= UP TO 1M PER SECOND Puff adders are surprisingly quick when it comes to striking, despite their slow-moving appearance. They can strike at speeds of up to 1 meter per second, which is incredibly fast for a snake. This speed is not about moving across the ground but rather the distance they cover when they strike to capture prey or defend themselves.
A puff adder’s venom is a cytotoxic venom that causes massive tissue damage, leading to swelling, necrosis, and sometimes even loss of limbs if untreated.
Puff adders are one of the largest species in the Viperidae family in Africa. Some can reach lengths of up to 1.5 meters, making them quite imposing!
PUFF ADDERS ARE OVOVIVIPAROUS, MEANING THEY GIVE BIRTH TO LIVE YOUNG AFTER INTERNAL FERTILISATION. THEIR YOUNG DEVELOP IN EGGS INSIDE THE MOTHER’S BODY AND ARE BORN FULLY FORMED. FEMALE PUFF ADDERS PRODUCE LITTERS RANGING FROM 10 TO 30 YOUNG.
Puff adders possess heat- sensing pits located near their nostrils. These pits allow them to detect the body heat of potential prey, helping them hunt in the dark or during the night.
Puff adders are named for their ability to “puff” air from their mouths when threatened, creating a loud hissing sound. This serves as a warning to potential threats, with the sound often being louder than expected for such a slow-moving snake.
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