Step in line, humans! You’re the superior animal on the planet, sure,
maybe, but do you have two-inch fangs loaded with the milk of death? Can
you choke a cow with your body? If someone is kicking you, can you bite
their ankles to stop them…forever? Maybe you’re not as
awesomesauce
as African snakes then. Here are 10 African snakes to respect and fear
that are among the most lethal on any continent.
Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)
Of
all the venomous snakes in Africa, this one is the heftiest, weighing
in at approximately 18 pounds (eight kilograms) and around seven feet
(two meters) long. It also carries the highest reserve of venom in its
body of any snake globally. Unlike the Cape cobra, these are relatively
passive ground dwellers, although to spot one is to fear one. They’ll
kill a lumberjack-sized man. They have facial features that include
horn-shaped projections on the snout that kind of make it look like
they’re wearing a freaky cat mask. They also have the longest fangs of
any snake in the universe, which stay embedded in the flesh of their
prey until it’s dead. They’re found in the forests of most of
sub-Saharan Africa.
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)
Two
thirds of the world’s snake species are categorized as colubrid, of the
colubridae family — that’s about 1,760 different species. The boomslang
is one of the only ones that can end a human’s life with a bite. Male
boomslangs (translation: tree snake) are a vibrant green with black
scales, and the females are a dusty brown. Both reach about five feet in
length and can camouflage well on the ground and in trees. While the
boomslang is a very timid snake, thee’s nothing timid about its bite.
Here’s how the journey to glory can go after a bite: the haemotoxic
venom clots the blood, causing the internal organs to shut down. There’s
bleeding from every orifice. Respect and fear.
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Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje)
This
really potent snake inhabits folklore and history. Many believe it was
the asp Cleopatra used to off herself. Fast moving and ornery (aka
dangerous to living things) when crossed, it’s found mainly in the sands
of the North African deserts, but its range also extends further east
into the Asian continent. The toxicity of its venom varies, as does its
method of using it: some spit by a muscular contraction of the venom
ducts, and some just bite. The most lethal ones in Africa can kill an
elephant in three hours. Anything smaller than an elephant should
probably take heed.
Eastern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps)
The
smallest of all the mamba species, the lemon-lime-colored eastern green
grows to an average length of 5.9 feet (about 1.8 meters). It’s full of
venom which bodes poorly for those who may tamper with them for sure,
but it’s far less aggressive than its darker-colored sibling. Green
mambas are arboreal, and rarely come down from the East African tree
branches (they’re mostly found in Kenya) they wind through. When they’re
born, they’re yellow, but then turn into a very shiny, very lovely lime
green color. If threatened, they’d rather run, and can slither away at
about seven miles per hour.
Saw-Scaled Viper/Carpet Viper (Echis genus)
This monster is usually
out after dark, which is when most of its hapless human victims have
been bitten. In Africa it mostly inhabits dry or savanna regions north
of the equator, but the eight saw-scaled viper species are found as far
across the globe as Sri Lanka. Dry-looking and the color of dirt, their
scales rub together to produce a sizzling or sawing sound, hence the
name. They’re also categorized as sidewinders for their sideways motion.
They move slowly, but can strike quickly, and their sour temper coupled
with quick-acting venom has not fared well for some folks.
Western Bush Viper (Atheris Chlorerchis)
Another
arboreal inhabitant found in the lush woods of West Africa from Gabon
to Guinea, this snake is a sight to behold: a solid green the color of
the healthiest leaves, it has faint yellow spots running along its
dorsal. These snakes are quite small, with adults reaching only about 20
inches (50 centimeters) in length. While bites are not common, they’re
an emergency if they happen, especially because there’s no established
antivenin. Their venom is haematoxic, which means that blood will clot,
often leading to fatality if untreated.
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Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)
According
to Venemoussnakes.net, the puff adder is responsible for the majority
of fatal snake bites on the African continent. This has been attributed
partly to the lack of infrastructure in rural areas that could slow
efforts to rush someone to a hospital to receive treatment. It’s quite
the ubiquitous snake, found in all areas from Africa to Southeast Asia
excluding rain forests. Puff adders in the Southern African region reach
up to 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) long. They are heavily set and brown with
chevron-like patterns running along the back. The combination of
patience and camouflage make this snake dangerous to stumble upon —
they’ll stay motionless on the ground for weeks waiting for a meal.
Their cytotoxic venom causes swelling, extreme pain, and shock.
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Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Danger! Danger! This
guy will feign death in a strategic way in order to avoid being
molested, then turn the tables and make the would-be attacker the
victim. Considered the second most dangerous snake in the world, this
cobra is really a marvel. In order to disable its prey, it will spit
venom up to eight feet (2.4 meters), usually aiming for the eyes. Its
juice can cause blindness in a human being. While other cobras spread
their hood before spitting, the Mozambique does not need to, and can
launch from any position. Found mostly in the savannas of subtropical
Africa, it prefers watery areas…and to be left the hell alone
The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
Let’s
start with its neurotoxic venom: it attacks the nervous system, reducing
the ability to see, smell, move, and breathe. It’s the most aggressive
snake in Africa and the fastest (it can run after you at 12 miles per
hour or 20 kilometers per hour). It’s the largest of the continent’s
venomous snakes (up to eight feet or 2.5 meters in length), and its
venom is strong enough to kill up to a dozen people in an hour. This is
because the black mamba can strike up to 12 times in a row, pumping
venom into one or multiple victims each time. Sub-Saharan Africans know
to watch themselves, to watch the trees above, and to tread lightly on
the ground. #Kingofthejungle
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