Well, Africa is widely known as home of the world’s most indigenous flora and fauna. Many people have a passion and desire to explore different adventures in different parts of the continent. Including Africans themselves.
This is a wonderful destination and habitat that many are aware of. All the way from Cairo to Cape Town, sierra Leone Freetown to Mombasa frère town, it can be a hilarious and thrilling experience that you wouldn’t find anywhere in this globe. But one thing we should put in mind is that any careless or unnecessary move in the wild, forest or anywhere can come with a very painful cost or even death.
So today I have compiled a list of the most poisonous snakes (which are our historic enemies) that one may encounter with in this great continent. I have started with the most dangerous/poisonous and below is the collection.
1.
The African black mamba (dendroaspis polyepis)
The black mamba is believed to be the most poisonous snake in the world. It is known for its aggressiveness when threatened and it will only take a second for it to strike or attack an intruder. The average length of a black mamba is about 2.5 meters but some can go up to 4.5 meters. This snake is very unique and one of its kinds, other than being known to be the most venomous in the continent and globally, it is even the fastest and can move with a top speed of 20 km/h.
This snake is naturally shy; it always avoids confrontation and tends to move away when it notices an enemy. So when you see one getting away just be thankful but do not panic because when you do so, your pulse rate will automatically increase and it will be alerted that it is in danger then it will definitely defend itself by attacking. Its venom is 100% fatal and can kill a person within twenty minutes and bad news is that there are no antibiotics for its sting.
Black mambas are very territorial and can lift their heads up to three quarters of their bodies projected upwards from the ground. This trait makes it one of the deadliest snakes in the planet. They are usually found in Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Southwestern Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola.
2. Puff Adder ( bitis arietans)
A puff adder is a common snake in Africa but very dangerous. It is very large and usually crawls slower. Their length is mostly about 1meter long (3 feet) and large specimens can weigh up to 6 kg. This makes it quite heavier. Its head is triangular and the color depends on the environment or region where they are found but mostly their color is dull brown with white markings that make patterns around its body.
Its natural appearance makes it a perfect camouflage when coiled itself around rocks or stones. Their venom is very dangerous and causes severe injuries, even though its venom doesn’t take effect immediately, it causes massive muscle and tissue damage along swelling. If the wound is left unattended the venom keeps on spreading and finally the affected part decomposes.
Puff adders’ being slow movers doesn’t make them to be defenseless, they are highly aggressive and their attacking formula is incredibly faster, they can strike sideways without moving their heads back first. When threatened, they usually coil themselves into an “s” shape preparing to make a strike; this is their usual defensive posture whenever a threat arises.
If they were humans they would be cannibals because they prey and swallow other snakes of their own kinds. Puff adders are mostly found in sub Saharan Africa in countries like Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Chad, Kenya, Namibia and South Africa.
3. The Gaboon viper/swamp jack ( bitis gabonica)
It is one of the heaviest venomous snakes in the world. They are known to inject more venom than any other snake and are among the best predators in the world as well.
When they become fully grown, they get no natural enemies other than humans. Their fangs are long and can reach up to 2 inches long, they are naturally ambush hunters and always cover themselves under leaves while patiently waiting for the prey to get closer.
This kind of snake is unique in its own unlike other snakes, when it strikes it doesn’t move away but instead poses by to see the effect of its venom take effect on the prey. A single bite may inject up to 600 milligrams of venom and it only takes just 1-2mg to kill a mouse. When they position themselves in the forest floor, it becomes difficult to see them; they are perfectly camouflaged by their surroundings.
Fully grown gaboon vipers have an average length of about 122-152cm with a maximum of 205cm. they can weigh from 8.5kg-11.3kg with an empty stomach. Very large specimens may weigh up to 20kg which makes the world’s heaviest venomous snake. Their appearance consists mostly of dark yellow edged blotches running from the center of their backs throughout the rest of the body. They are commonly found in West Africa, Central Africa and some parts of East Africa.
4. Egyptian cobra(naje haje)
It is characterized by the unique shape of its head which is topped by a hood. They can grow to an average length of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters). Its head is relatively larger and has a depressed shape along its broad stout and the neck can measure about 18cm in diameter.
Its color is variable; they may be black, brown or both. They always have a trademark teardrop mark below their eyes.
Although their habitat is arid, they preferably live around moist areas that is near oases. They are mostly found around water masses or vegetation in the desert so an encounter with humans can be likely. The Egyptian cobra is also a good swimmer for it has been observed in the waters of Mediterranean Sea severally. It chiefly lives a nocturnal lifestyle but can also be seen around morning hours basking in the sunlight. It is shy and will always try to make an escape when approached by humans but when threatened, it positions itself in a defensive posture that is an upright position while the hood is expanded.
The venom of an Egyptian cobra is deadly and can inject about 200mg of venom in one bite. It is classified as the third most toxic venom in the species of cobras. They are found in Northwestern Africa, Morocco and Western Sahara. Their colors range from black to brown.
5. Saw-scaled viper(echis genus)
This is one of the most venomous vipers in the world; it is nocturnal in nature and usually buries itself in sand when hunting for a prey. It is quick to attack when threatened or can display a threat characteristic by rubbing sections of its body to produce a warning sound.
They are relatively small and the largest species can have a length below 90cm in total (body and tail) while the smallest being about 30cm in total length. Its head is quite small and short, its eyes are relatively large and the body is moderately slender and cylindrical. They are among the most aggressive snakes in the world; they are known for being over tempered and choose to move towards the enemy even if they run away. Their venom is deadly and can lead to fatal injuries or death when first aid is delayed. They are found in South Eastern Egypt, East of Nile and Somalia.
6. The cape cobra(naja nivea)
This is another cobra that is known to be aggressive and very poisonous; they are usually slender and appear smaller compared to other cobras. Their average length is about 1.2meters-1.5meters. Their color is variable and may appear in butter yellow and brown or even brown to black.
When it is threatened, it will spread its hood and hiss loudly and eventually strike. Cape cobras will prefer to flee from the aggressor but their venom is extremely toxic and attacks the nervous system when injected in a victim. It even has an ability to chase an intruder. Just like their name, they are found in Southern Africa in countries like Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana and South Africa.
7. The Mozambican spitting cobra (naja mossambica)
This is another dangerous cobra widely known for its ability to spit venom from any position without lifting its head. It has a black band on its throat that becomes visible when it lifts its hood.
It is an intelligent snake and is fond of playing dead when attacked or threatened. They usually grow to an average length of about 1.2meters-1.5meters. These type of cobra is commonly found in rocky or lowland forest areas where it inhabits in hollow logs or termite mounds close to a water source. In the world of snakes, they are fed on by other snakes but to humans their venom cause serious tissue damage or can cause blindness when received in the victims eyes. Their venom can be controlled or reduced if anti-venoms are used promptly. They are found in Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Northern Namibia and Southern Mozambique.
8. The west African brown spitting cobra (naja katiensis)
This cobra has a brown or black body or a branded patterning in the distribution of its body. It usually has two to three white bands on its hood with rough scales. It can play dead too.
It does not differ much from the Mozambican cobra, they can be assumed to be cousins. Their venom is not as toxic as compared to other cobras and can be controlled when anti-venoms are used on time. They are mainly found in grasslands, savanna and lowland forests of West Africa.
9. The Eastern green mamba (dendroaspis angusticeps)
It is a venomous tree snake and they can have a length of up to 2meters. They are generally shy and rarely seen, their venom is poisonous and can kill several humans with just a single bite, its venom also spreads rapidly through tissues and muscles very quickly and effectively.
The green mamba is not aggressive and is not a major cause of snake bite incidences however, the victim experiences dizziness’s, nausea, breathing difficulties, swelling of the affected part and irregular heartbeats. This usually happens about thirty minutes after the bite. They are commonly found in the coastal regions of Southern East Africa.
10. Boom slang(dispholidus typus)
This is another long and slender snake that spends its entire life on trees and by its appearance you can just see that. It becomes very difficult to spot them because it is camouflaged to hunt on the trees. Their length is about 1-1.5meters or even 2meters, boom slangs are shy and will escape when they notice danger but if threatened they can defend themselves too.
Their bites appear like minor scratches but the wound can consecutively bleed for one to four days if unattended. Immediately after the bite, one will experience severe pain or vomiting. Their venom is not very cytotoxic (killing living cells) but the victim should be closely monitored. They have a very good eyesight and will always move their heads from side to side to get a better and clear view of objects moving closer to them. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa.
So when you and your friends or family go out on a safari, hiking, camping or for any adventure, you should be very vigilant on these creatures because most of them strike without your knowledge, many snakes feel threatened when you walk towards their direction even if you haven’t seen them, many reported incidents are accidental encounters from the victims. Those are the ten most poisonous snakes in the continent, when you spot them just stay away as possible and be watchful.
