Puff Adder
Bitis arietans
Puff Adder is a venomous snake in African savannas preying on small animals.
| Scientific name | Bitis arietans |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Mbuzi wa mto |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Viperidae |
| Size | Males: average 70-120 cm; females: average 70-120 cm, weight can reach 2-4 kg |
How to identify
Stout body, length about 90-150 cm; broad triangular head; coloration from yellowish-brown to grayish-brown with dark V- or U-shaped markings; emits loud hissing when threatened; vertical pupils.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, shrubland, grasslands, rocky areas, and edges of farmland
Diet
Carnivorous, primarily preys on small mammals, birds, amphibians, and other reptiles
When it is active
Primarily nocturnal, more active at dusk and night, often resting concealed during the day
Where it lives
Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and the Maasai Mara region
How to spot it
Maintain a safe distance, avoid disturbance, use red light flashlight at dusk or night
Photography tips
Use telephoto lens, avoid close interference, photograph in soft morning or evening light to highlight coloration and patterns
Threats
Habitat destruction, human persecution, and road accidents
Similar species
Other Bitis genus rattlesnakes, such as Bitis gabonica (Gaboon rattlesnake), distinguished by larger size and more complex patterns
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