Gaboon Viper

Has the longest fangs of any venomous snake (up to 2 inches) and the highest venom yield. Fortunately, it's docile and rarely encountered.

FamilyViperidae

GenusBitis

RegionAfricaSub-Saharan Africa, Central Africa

Photo: Isiwal · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Gaboon Viper

Photo: Isiwal · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Gaboon Viper

Danger Score

Final Danger Score

Venom Core

Lethality weighted 55% (potency × yield). Clinical weighted 45% (real-world CFR).

0.55 × 59 + 0.45 × 7767.1

Modifiers

Multiplicative scalers - amplify or reduce existing danger, can't create it from nothing.

× Speed (0.94)63.1

× Delivery (1.00)63.1

× Encounter (0.74)46.7

Speed = antivenom window. Delivery = fang efficiency. Encounter = exposure × temperament.

Score47

Venom Profile

Type

HemotoxicTargets blood and circulatory system; disrupts clotting and can cause bleeding disorders.,CytotoxicDestroys cells and damages tissue; can cause permanent tissue damage and disfigurement.,MyotoxicDamages muscle tissue, causing myonecrosis (muscle death) and contributing to long-term morbidity.

Venom Yield

Extremely High

Venom Speed

Slow

Delivery Method

Hinged front fangs

Potency (SC Equivalent)

7.500mg/kg LD50

Max Dry Yield

600mg dry

Clinical Severity

Fatality (Untreated)

15-30%

WHO Importance

Cat. 1

Local Effects

Pain at bite site, Swelling, Bruising, Blistering, Tissue damage

Blood

Internal bleeding, Circulatory shock, Coagulopathy

Muscle

Kidney failure

Causes of Death

Massive internal bleeding, Circulatory shock, Kidney failure