Common Death Adder
(Acanthophis antarcticus)
Image Copyright Cogger, 1992.
Description: Death Adders are Viperid in appearance,
having broad, triangular heads, a narrow neck, short, stout body, and a
thin tail ending in a curved soft spine. Their body type is unique
amongst Australian snakes, in that it resembles Viperids more than Colubrids.
Their coloration varies from pale grey to reddish-brown (see above picture)
(Cogger, 1992). They are rarely larger than 2 ft (Ditamars, 1937).
Distribution: The Common Death Adder is found throughout
Australia, with the exception of the central desert regions and wetter
areas of Victoria. Populations can even be found in New Guinea and
as far west as Ceram (Cogger, 1992). Death Adders have the widest
distribution of any member of the elapidae (Ditmars, 1937).
Habit: They are nocturnal, and during the day they
can be found half buried in sand or soil at the base of trees or shrubs.
They are remarkably camouflaged and rely on cryptic coloration to catch
their prey, which include small mammals, birds, and reptiles (Keegan et
al., 1963). They lure prey to within striking distance by undulating
their tail spine so that it resembles the movement of a worm, and then
strike with amazing quickness and accuracy (Shine, 1980). They can
often be found on paths and roads at night, and pose a serious danger to
inhabitants of areas with Death Adder populations. When disturbed
their body becomes tense and flattens into a coil, from which the snake
defends itself. They have large fangs that deliver an average of
56.7 mg of extremely toxic venom (Ditmars, 1937). There is little
effect upon being bitten, with death resulting 12 or more hours later due
to paralysis of the muscles that control the diaphragm and consequent respiratory
failure (Keegan and MacFarland). Death Adders are oviviparous, with
as many as 20 young in a litter. 2 more species, praelongus
and pyrrhus are distributed widely throughout Australia (Cogger,
1992).
