Puff Adder

Causes more snakebite fatalities in Africa than any other. Relies on camouflage.

FamilyViperidae

GenusBitis

RegionAfricaAfrica, Arabian Peninsula

Misidentification risk

Puff AdderNight Adder

Photo: Mahomed Desai · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 4.0

Puff Adder

Photo: Mahomed Desai · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 4.0

Puff Adder

Danger Score

Final Danger Score

Venom Core

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

0.55 × 75 + 0.45 × 6972.3

Modifiers

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

× Speed (1.08)78.1

× Delivery (1.00)78.1

× Encounter (1.04)81.2

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

Score81

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.

Venom Yield

High

Venom Speed

Extremely quick

Delivery Method

Hinged front fangs

Potency (SC Equivalent)

1.200mg/kg LD50

Max Dry Yield

350mg dry

Clinical Severity

Fatality (Untreated)

10-20%

WHO Importance

Cat. 1

Local Effects

Pain at bite site, Swelling, Blistering, Necrosis

Blood

Coagulopathy, Circulatory shock

Causes of Death

Massive internal bleeding, Circulatory shock