Noisy viper - a description of where it lives, features

The content of the article

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

Scientists serpentologists attribute a noisy viper to the family of African vipers. This variety can rightly be considered the most dangerous among other poisonous snakes on the planet.

It is this snake that most often poses a threat to humans. During the attack, she bites the victim, and in most cases it leads to death. That's 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. Reptiles are also found in southwestern Asia in the south of the Arabian Peninsula and in Saudi Arabia. She is able to survive in any natural environment, with the exception of the forests of the tropics, mountain meadows and sandy desert.

Appearance

This species of snake has a large body and the same thick tail. The head of the snake resembles the shape of a triangle, slightly flattened and flat, the muzzle at the end is rounded. A noisy viper can grow up to 1 meter on average. But the length of the largest snake can reach almost two meters - 1.9 m. The width of the snake body with a girth of up to 40 centimeters with a body weight of 5-6 kilograms. Males of this species have a larger body than females. Ribbed scales grow at the top of the snake’s head. When opening the mouth, two dangerous fangs up to 2-3 cm in length protrude from the upper jaw. These fangs release deadly poison for humans.

The color of the reptile completely depends on the natural features of the viper and its breeding sites. Usually the up of the snake's body has a rich light brown tint. From nature, the color can also vary from red-brown flowers to yellow and straw shades. A characteristic white or yellow color stands out below the body. Also in the lower part there are dark spots. The same dark spots and stripes of black or dark brown color are located in the upper part of the snake body. Nature painted some representatives of this species with dense brownish and black spots, from which the color of the reptiles conveys a blackish or dusty brown color.

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Reproduction and longevity

With the onset of the mating season, females of a noisy viper attract males with special pheromones. The sexual maturity of these snakes occurs already in the second year of their life. In nature, females are much smaller in relation to males, therefore conflicts between males are widespread on this basis. Scientists attribute this species to ovoviviparous individuals. Noisy snakes usually have 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.

Over time, completely independent vipers are born. On average, there can be from 20 to 60 snakes in a litter. However, there are times when a snake bred offspring with more than 80 cubs at a time. The length of the snake body of newborn vipers can vary between 12-18 cm. Immediately after birth, the snakes are already independent and pose a mortal danger to humans. Viper cubs are able to live without food for about two or three months 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 lie quietly 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 coils only when it is rapidly accelerating. The reptile can climb the surface of trees and swims perfectly. If the snake is in danger, then to intimidate the enemy, her body begins to swell, and the body bends. The snake takes an S-shaped position and constantly makes hissing sounds to intimidate the enemy. A reptile is able to attack a prey or an enemy of potential danger with lightning speed. The throw of the snake is quite agile and can reach 40-50 cm in length. After an attack by a noisy viper, a bite of poisonous fangs immediately follows.

Hunting and nutrition

To hunt these snakes creep out at nightfall. They wait for their potential victim sitting in shelter. They use their natural, well-developed sense of smell for hunting. When the prey appears, they abruptly attack it and dig in with strong teeth. Snakes chase their potential dinner until the animal dies from a poisonous bite or wound. The menu of this reptile includes medium-sized animals, mammals, as well as birds, lizards and amphibians.

The venom of a noisy viper

A noisy viper 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 the exit is from 150 to 300 mg. At the same time, it is known that for a fatal outcome, for example, with a bite of an adult, only 100 mg of the poison released is residual. After a snakebite, a person dies within 25 hours. Acute pain appears on the body in the area of the wound with poison. The limbs of a bitten person do not react, remain motionless and bent. This is due to the damage of muscle tissue with a poisonous substance. Death occurs due to high blood pressure, shortness of breath, or internal hemorrhage.

Fatalities generally depend on how strong the snake bite was. According to statistics, no more than 15% of easily bitten patients who do not seek emergency medical attention die from a bite of a sizzling viper. But if the snake bite has a more severe form, then mortality statistics among people grow up to 52%. However, such a high percentage of deaths indicates the lack of timely medical assistance and normal medical control.

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