African puff adders (Bitis arietans).
Bitis arietans is a venomous viper species found in savannah and grasslands. It is responsible for causing the most snakebite fatalities in Africa owing to various factors, such as its wide distribution and frequent occurrence in highly populated regions.
The venom has cytotoxic effects and is one of the most toxic of any viper. The venom yield is typically between 100–350 mg, with a maximum of 750 mg. About 100 mg is believed to be enough to kill a healthy adult, with death occurring after 25 hours.
An ugly snake to be avoided in the bush as he will not move away like most snakes, but will strike with deadly force and cause a very sore painful bite.
When I was an learner Land Surveyor, involved in a job at Victoria Falls in Rhodesia I came across one of the biggest Puffies I’d ever seen. Thinking it dead, I poked it with a survey rod and it struck immediately, not being the conservationist I am now, I killed it. That evening we all met at the Peters Motel for drinks, it had the biggest pub in the area (at least 20m long, 60 foot), I took my now dead snake with me, the pub was full of tourists and locals and on entering tossed it on the pub counter. 30 seconds later the pub was empty, the two barmen had exited via the dirty glass opening (smashing 100s of glasses) and I stood laughing my head off…. some how the Manager/Owner was not amused and banned me for life… I took Linda there many years later… he remembered me, but after explaining I’d settle down and was no longer “bush happy” he forgave me… I’m still sure he loaded my bill that day… here’s some photos of one I found the other day… he refused to go into the strike pose which is very strikingly (no pun intended) beautiful….probably too cold…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Oh My God! You know they all make me afraid, but but but your photography is amazing and great. The first one (I can’t believe myself how I express like that 🙂 but) FASCINATED me. wonderful shot. Thank you dear Rob, be in safe while taking photograph in there… Love, nia
Thanks Nia… they are easy to handle when cold and early morning when you see them… it’s when you don’t see them that it is dangerous…but thank you Nia…
I can see why it would have cleared the pub. I’d be afraid I’d stumble upon one while walking. Is there any antidote for a bite?
Yes the is an antidote… the problem is getting it quick enough… a bite in the bush if your alone, is going to be extremely painful and difficult to walk with….
I can’t imagine how anyone would be able to really see the likes of him in the brush or any other place of concealment. To have a snake that venomous and able to strike as he does, would be a terrifying thing indeed. Great photos…and conservationist or not, the temptation to kill them would be very strong indeed. I admire your attitude…not the one in the bar! 🙂
Thank you… as a youth I would have killed without a second thought… but when it comes to the choice between him and a rat.?? he wins.. when walking in the bush one is of a nature to not look down, after all you are looking for game and birds… but there are certain areas where one is more careful, where you would expect to find them.. I have moved so many of them merely to save their lives from others who would kill.. they do do a lot of good in controlling vermin, just too lazy to move away…
Wonderful story, bdt. You were a very naughty boy when you were young. You’re wife will probably say that nothing has changed. 🙂 Great photos, but I’m keeping well away from the screen, 🙂
it is actually a beauty… and how did you know Linda would say that.?? you been talking to her behind my back..?? lol
That was a very ‘wild’ thing to do in the pub! I know I would have smashed my way out of there as well! Apparently snakes are still venomous even when they’re dead 😀 Great pics!
Yes they are if you get you self tangled up with their fangs… any folded fang that is opened up is basically primed… and venom can drip from the fang… but if its alive he will pump it into you… I had a friend you got merely a scratch from a fang on his finger.. the finger rotted and actually bent sideways, his finger was like that till he died from other causes many years later…
Oh – the poor thing!
Speaking of which – my neighbor on the farm came over to get a snake out of my bathroom one night and it bit him – he got very sick, but survived (thank god!). It was only a python so he got blood poisoning…
Fantastic story, and excellent shots of what looks like a scary fellow.. 🙂
Not something to play with … in fact avoid unless you know what you’re doing…
Cool! Reptiles fascinate me. They have smiles that look as if they know the all the secrets of the universe–they’re just not telling. 🙂
I agree I had a cobra standing swaying in front of me hood out.. I was so fascinated by his look I forgot to take the photo… and then could not get him to raise again… fascinating creatures… there’s only one I won’t play with and that’s the black mamba…
Yikes! We have rattle snakes around here, they seem mild compared to this guy. Appears you and my hubby have similar traits…..a couple of “wild” dudes in their youth 🙂
I do believe that the rattler is of a similar type snake and there is a connection some where… must Google it …
Yes the days of yore… bad boys .. just looking for fun…
Oh my goodness, Bulldog! That was a funny as hell story! I can imagine it happening….love your wild streak (bet it’s still in there a little itty bit!) and that snake looks pretty darn scary to me!
Yep I am known for still doing things of that nature just not nearly as often… the snake you don’t want to meet up with when you’re not expecting him…
I hope you were using a zoom lens, if it’s that dangerous! So you were a bit of a rabble rouser back in the day eh?
They called it “bush happy” and after 6 mths out there almost alone one did tend to lose common sense…
The snake was not taken with a zoom … I just know how to handle them…and stay out of reach…lol
Yikes, I hope so!
It looks so fat! That pub story is hilarious!
Thanks Julie… I was not the most popular sailor on the ship that day… I will never forget the dressing down I got from my Boss who happened to be where I dropped the perfect specimen without a mark on it…. they all thought it was alive…
It took a while and then he saw the funny side of it…
wow – that is too up close and personal for me – we don’t have snakes in NZ!
I had heard that… wonder why.??
Amazing shots here bulldog, look at that tongue! You were a rowdy guy in your youth. Great story though, bar full of wimps! He looks big enough to make some nice boots. Did this one just eat or is he just that shape?
I think he has eaten recently but they are a fat snake, consequently the name Puff… but when they curl up for a strike they are really beautiful, (if something dangerous could be considered beautiful) but being early morning and fairly chilly for this time of the year he would not co-operate… no matter how much I pulled and pushed…
I don’t know which is worse: the pictures of that hideous creature or the world’s worst hurricane we’re experiencing right now on the east coast of the US.
I’d go with the Hurricane, it looks terrible from here… and after all the puffie is good for the land… eats all the rats and things we don’t need a overdose of… the hurricane you can do without… hope all’s safe where you are…
Thanks for your kind words. We have lost all power and have 2 live electric wires across our front lawn. A tree fell across our front door, and a huge tulip tree fell in the back, destroying our deer fence. Other than that, all is well here!
That is good news in a way… when no one is hurt… although I see this mornings news that some life was lost… how tragic…
lovely photos. Looks like you’ve mellowed down a lot with time..
Yes lost that “wild bill” temperament… something to do with having a wife…