What do death adders look like?

Description. The common death adder has a broad flattened, triangular head and a thick body with bands of red, brown and black with a grey, cream or pink belly. It can reach a maximum body length of 70–100 centimetres (2.3–3.3 ft). Death adders possess the longest fangs of any Australian snake.

What eats a death adder?

Large death adders are eaten by large lizards called Goannas or Varanids (Varanidae). Small death adders are probably taken by a number of predators, including Kookaburra birds.

Why is it called a death adder?

Commonly called death adders, they are native to Australia, New Guinea and nearby islands, and are among the most venomous snakes in the world. The name of the genus derives from the Ancient Greek akanthos/ἄκανθος (‘spine’) and ophis/ὄφις (‘snake’), referring to the spine on the death adder’s tail.

How dangerous is the death adder?

Death adders have relatively large fangs and toxic venom and, before the introduction of antivenom, about 60% of bites to humans were fatal.

How long do Death Adder snakes live for?

They can live for up to 15 years in the wild, according to the ADW. According to the Forestry Commission of England, no one has died of an adder bite in Britain in more than 20 years. Though they are venomous, they are not aggressive, and when threatened only use their venom as a last resort.

What are two facts about death adder snake?

with lovely red and orange stripes that give them excellent camouflage in the desert sand.

What does the common Death Adder eat?

Common death adders eat small mammals and birds as a primary diet. Unlike other snakes, the common death adder lies in wait for its prey (often for many days) until a meal passes. It covers itself with leaves—making itself inconspicuous—and lies coiled in ambush, twitching its grub-like tail close to its head as a lure.

Is the adder endangered?

Currently, Adders are not endangered, although their population is on a decline due to the destruction of their natural habitat. The hedgehog is also a ferocious enemy for these snakes, as the small spiked mammals are immune to the Adder’s venom.