Characteristics: It is chiefly a nocturnal snake. It comes out in the early evening hours to feed on lizards, rodents, and frogs. As the name implies, this species can strike with force as it actually leaves the ground. Its venom is hemotoxic. Humans have died from the bites inflicted by large jumping vipers. They often hide under fallen logs and piles of leaves and are difficult to see.
Habitat: Found in rain forests, on plantations, and on wooded hillsides.
Length: Average 60 centimeters, maximum 120 centimeters.
Distribution: Southern Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador.
Mojave rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
Description: This snake’s entire body is a pallid or sandy odor with darker diamond-shaped markings bordered by Lighter-colored scales and black bands around the tail.
Characteristics: Although this rattlesnake is of moderate size, its bite is very serious. Its venom has quantities of neurotoxic elements that affect the central nervous system. Deaths have resulted from this snake’s bite.
Habitat: Found in arid regions, deserts, and rocky hillsides from sea level to 2400-meter elevations.
Length: Average 75 centimeters, maximum 1.2 meters.
Distribution: Mojave Desert in California, Nevada, southwest Arizona, and Texas into Mexico.
Tropical rattlesnake
Crotalus terrificus
Description: Coloration is light to dark brown with a series of darker rhombs or diamonds bordered by a buff color.
Characteristics: Extremely dangerous with an irritable disposition, ready to strike with little or no warning (use of its rattle). This species has a highly toxic venom containing neurotoxic and hemotoxic components that paralyze the central nervous system and cause great damage to tissue.
Habitat: Found in sandy places, plantations, and dry hillsides.
Length: Average 1.4 meters, maximum 2.1 meters.
Distribution: Southern Mexico, Central America, and Brazil to Argentina.
Western diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Description: The body is a light buff color with darker brown diamond-shaped markings. The tail has heavy black and white bands.
Characteristics: This bold rattlesnake holds its ground. When coiled and rattling, it is ready to defend itself. It injects a large amount of venom when it bites, making it one of the most dangerous snakes. Its venom is hemotoxic, causing considerable pain and tissue damage.
Habitat: It is a very common snake over its range. It is found in grasslands, deserts, woodlands, and canyons.
Length: Average 1.5 meters, maximum 2 meters.
Distribution: Southeast California, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
POISONOUS SNAKES OF EUROPE
Common adder
Vipera berus
Description: Its color is variable. Some adult specimens are completely black while others have a dark zigzag pattern running along the back.
Characteristics: The common adder is a small true viper that has a short temper and often strikes without hesitation. Its venom is hemotoxic, destroying blood cells and causing tissue damage. Most injuries occur to campers, hikers, and field workers.
Habitat: Common adders are found in a variety of habitats, from grassy fields to rocky slopes, and on farms and cultivated lands.
Length: Average 45 centimeters, maximum 60 centimeters.
Distribution: Very common throughout most of Europe.
Long-nosed adder
Vipera ammodytes
Description: Coloration is gray, brown, or reddish with a dark brown or black zigzag pattern running the length of its back. A dark stripe is usually found behind each eye.
Characteristics: A small snake commonly found in much of its range. The term “long-nosed” comes from the projection of tiny scales located on the tip of its nose. This viper is responsible for many bites. Deaths have been recorded. Its venom is hemotoxic, causing severe pain and massive tissue damage. The rate of survival is good with medical aid.
Habitat: Open fields, cultivated lands, farms, and rocky slopes.
Length: Average 45 centimeters, maximum 90 centimeters.
Distribution: Italy, Yugoslavia, northern Albania, and Romania.
Pallas’ viper
Agkistrodon halys
Description: Coloration is gray, tan, or yellow, with markings similar to those of the American copperhead.
Characteristics: This snake is timid and rarely strikes. Its venom is hemotoxic but rarely fatal.
Habitat: Found in open fields, hillsides, and farming regions.
Length: Average 45 centimeters, maximum 90 centimeters.
Distribution: Throughout southeastern Europe.
Ursini’s viper
Vipera ursinii
Description: The common adder, long-nosed adder, and Ursini’s viper basically have the same coloration and dorsal zigzag pattern. The exception among these adders is that the common adder and Ursini’s viper Iack the projection of tiny scales on the tip of the nose.
Characteristics: These little vipers have an irritable disposition. They will readily strike when approached. Their venom is hemotoxic. Although rare, deaths from the bites of these vipers have been recorded.
Habitat: Meadows, farmlands, rocky hillsides, and open, grassy fields.
Length: Average 45 centimeters, maximum 90 centimeters.
Distribution: Most of Europe, Greece, Germany, Yugoslavia, France, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania.
POISONOUS SNAKES OF AFRICA AND ASIA
Boomslang
Dispholidus typus
Description: Coloration varies but is generally green or brown, which makes it very hard to see in its habitat.
Characteristics: Will strike if molested. Its venom is hemotoxic; even small amounts cause severe hemorrhaging, making it dangerous to man.