Snouted Night Adder
Causus defilippii
A small African night adder with an upturned snout, adapted for a burrowing, frog-hunting lifestyle.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.3-0.5 m (1-1.6 ft)
- Range
- Southeastern Africa
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Overview
The Snouted Night Adder is a small viper distinguished by its slightly upturned, pointed snout, an adaptation thought to assist with burrowing through loose soil and leaf litter.
Like other night adders, it feeds primarily on amphibians and has comparatively mild venom relative to many other African vipers.
How to identify it
- Grayish to reddish-brown body with faint darker blotches
- Distinctly upturned, pointed snout
- Rounded head, less triangular than typical vipers
- Round pupils
- Smaller size compared to the Rhombic Night Adder
Habitat & range
Found in savanna and woodland habitats of southeastern Africa, often in sandy soils near seasonal water bodies.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal, feeding almost exclusively on frogs and toads. Lays eggs. Generally shy and non-aggressive, relying on its cryptic coloration to avoid detection.
Frequently asked questions
What is distinctive about the Snouted Night Adder's appearance?
Its upturned, pointed snout distinguishes it from other night adders.
Is it dangerous to humans?
Its venom is mild and bites are rarely serious, though caution is always warranted.
What does it eat?
It feeds almost exclusively on frogs and toads.
Where is it found?
It occurs in savanna and woodland habitats of southeastern Africa.
Snouted Night Adder guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Snouted Night Adder.
