The puff adder is the deadliest snake in Africa. With a wide distribution, common occurrence, large size (growing up to 75 inches or 190 centimeters), long fangs, and a habit of sitting silently beside footpaths, they rival the infamous black mamba.
When they bite, they also tend to deliver a high dose of venom that can kill a healthy adult human male in 25 hours. Their venom is cytotoxic, which means it kills cells and can cause skin and muscle to deteriorate and rot.
Right before they strike, they form into an “s” shape, so they have the appropriate “slack” to make contact with their prey or aggressor. Then, they spring forward and unhinge their deadly jaws, revealing their long, venomous fangs.
Thanks to the ever-wonderful BBC Earth, we can see this process in action and, essentially, feel what it’s like to experience the wrath of a puff adder…without getting bitten!
In this amazing footage, host Steve Backshall demonstrates how the puff adder attacks by presenting the snake a water balloon on at the end of a pair of snake tongs. As you will see, the snake focuses on the balloon right before it strikes. Then, when it attacks, it bites into the balloon and gets a nice drink of water in the process.
Watch the entire video below.
