A small but striking snake that lives in the dry, sandy areas of southern Africa. It gets its name from the unique, horn-like scales above its eyes, which give it a fierce look. These “horns” help the adder blend into its environment by breaking up the shape of its head, making it harder for predators and prey to spot.

This snake is usually about 30 to 50 centimeters (12 to 20 inches) long, which is around the length of a ruler or two. Its body is stout and covered in rough, keeled scales that help it move easily across sandy and rocky ground. The horned adder’s color ranges from sandy brown to reddish or gray, with dark, zigzag patterns running down its back. This camouflage helps it hide in its habitat, where it lies in wait for small animals like lizards, rodents, and birds to come close.

The horned adder is a venomous snake, but it’s not very aggressive. It prefers to avoid danger by staying still and relying on its camouflage. If it feels threatened, it may hiss loudly and puff up its body to look bigger and more intimidating. Its venom is used mainly to immobilize its prey. For humans, a bite from this snake can be painful and might need medical attention, but it’s rarely life-threatening.

One of the most interesting things about the horned adder is how it moves. Instead of slithering in a straight line like many other snakes, it often uses a method called “sidewinding.” This means it moves sideways across the ground, leaving distinctive J-shaped tracks in the sand. This way of moving helps the snake stay cool by limiting the amount of its body that touches the hot desert sand.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2022

Botswana

2022

Namibia

2022

South Africa

2022

Zimbabwe

2022