Noisy Viper - description where it dwells, features

The content of the article

1 Appearance
2 Reproduction and longevity
3 Diet and behavior
4 Hunting and nutrition
5 The venomous noise of the viper
6 Video: Noisy Viper (Bitis arietans)

Scientists serpentologists carry a noisy adder to the family of African vipers. This species can rightly be considered the most dangerous among other venomous snakes on the planet.

It is this snake that most often represents a threat to humans. During the attack, she bites the victim, and in most cases it is fatal. That is why this reptile is considered the most poisonous and deadly.

It inhabits almost the entire African continent, but most often it can be found in southern Africa near the Sahara. The exceptions are the central regions of Africa. The reptile is also found in southwest Asia in the south of the Arabian Peninsula and in Saudi Arabia. It is able to survive in any natural environment, except for the forests of the tropics, mountain meadows and sandy desert.

Appearance

This species of snake has a large body and a similarly thick tail. The head of a snake resembles a triangle, slightly flattened and flat, the muzzle at the end has roundings. Noisy adder on average can grow up to 1 meter. But the length of the largest snake can reach almost two meters - 1.9 m. In this case, the width of the snake body with girth is up to 40 centimeters with a body weight of 5-6 kg. Males of this species have a larger body than that of females. Above, in the area of the snake's head, ribbed scales grow. When opening the mouth of the upper jaw, two dangerous canines protrude up to 2-3 cm in length. These canines release a deadly poison for humans.

The color of the reptile is completely dependent on the natural features of the viper and its breeding sites. Usually upward snake body has a rich light brown tint. From nature, the color can also vary from red-brown to yellow and straw shades. At the bottom of the body there is a characteristic white or yellow color. Also at the bottom there are dark blotches. The same dark spots and stripes of black or dark brown color are located in the upper part of the serpentine body.The nature painted some representatives of this species with dense brownish and black spots, from which the color of reptiles shows a blackish or dusty brown color.

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Reproduction and longevity

With the onset of mating season, females of a noisy viper attract males with special pheromones. The sexual maturity of these snakes begins in the second year of their life. In nature, females are significantly less in relation to males, therefore conflicts on this basis are common between males. Scientists relate this species to the oviparous specimens. Noisy snakes usually carry eggs with future offspring inside their bodies. It lasts for five months, from the beginning of winter to the middle of spring - from December to April.

After a while, quite independent vipers appear. On average, in their litter can be from 20 to 60 snakes. However, there are times when a snake would breed offspring with more than 80 calves at a time. The length of the snake's body of newborn vipers can vary between 12-18 cm. Immediately after the birth of a snake, they are already independent and represent a mortal danger to humans.Baby vipers are able to live about two or three months without food after birth. In the wild, this reptile can live up to 12-15 years of age.

Diet and behavior

The nature of this snake can be called more phlegmatic. For a long time these snakes quietly lie on the surface of the earth, hiding in a pile of leaves, buried in sandy soil or sand. The movements of the snake are straightforward, and it wriggles only when it accelerates rapidly. The reptile can climb trees and swims well. If the snake is in danger, then in order to intimidate the enemy, its body begins to swell and its torso is bent. The snake takes an S-shaped stance and constantly makes hissing sounds to intimidate the enemy. A reptile is able to lash out on a prey or an enemy representing a potential danger with lightning speed. Throw a snake quite agile and can reach 40-50 cm in length. After the attack of a noisy viper, it is immediately followed by a bite of poisonous fangs.

Hunting and nutrition

On the hunt, these snakes creep out at nightfall. They are waiting for their potential victim sitting in the shelter. For hunting they use their natural, well-developed sense of smell.With the appearance of prey abruptly attacked her and dig in strong teeth. Snakes pursue their potential dinner until the animal dies from a poisonous bite or wound. The menu of this reptile includes small mammals, also birds, lizards and amphibians.

The venomous noise of the viper

A noisy adder is one of the most venomous snakes on the planet. Its poison is considered very toxic and deadly to humans. The maximum amount of poison at an exit makes from 150 to 300 mg. It is known that for a lethal outcome, for example, when an adult person bites, only 100 mg of venom excreted is left. After being bitten by a snake, a person dies within 25 hours. A sharp pain appears on the body in the area of the wound with poison. The extremities of the bitten person do not react, remain motionless and bent. This is due to the defeat of muscle tissue with a poisonous substance. Death occurs due to high blood pressure, difficulty breathing or internal hemorrhage.

Deaths generally depend on how strong the snake bite was. According to statistics, no more than 15% of easily bitten patients who have not turned for emergency help to a doctor die from the bite of a hissing viper.But if a snake bite has a more severe form, then the statistics of mortality among people grows up to 52%. However, such a high percentage of deaths indicates a lack of timely medical care and normal medical monitoring.

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