Vipers are family of snakes found everywhere in the world except Oceania and Antarctica and a few isolated islands. They have one of the most advanced venom injection systems in the world. They are characterized by their triangular heads, giant fangs, deadly venom, shields scales and elliptical pupils.
They have one of the most sophisticated when an injection systems in the snake world. Their fangs fold back into their mouths when non-use, sitting along the roof of their mouth, allowing them to grow much longer than if they were fixed in a place. When they bite down, the muscles around their venom glands squeeze the venom out of their hollow fangs. Their fangs are not only hinged and can fold down but can rotate independently of one another. When biting they can open their mouth 180 degree. The ability to rotate their fangs within that space is highly advantageous when striking pray of varying sizes.
The Gaboon Vipers has the longest measured coming in five centimeters long.
The Gaboon Vipers is also the longest viper measuring up to two meters long and weighing up to eight kilos.
Viper venom glands are located behind their eyes which is why they have such large distinctive triangular heads.
Depending on the species, viper venom can be quite different from other snakes. Cobras and other elapids have venom that is full go neurotoxins that cause muscle contraction and paralysis. Their venom affects the diaphragm which can cause the victim to asphyxiate. But many species of viper have venom that attacks the blood, causing the blood to lose the ability to clot meaning wounds won’t stop bleeding. Their venom will also cause pain swelling and in some cases necrosis.
The Russell's viper is particularly deadly. It’s venom initially causes mess clotting, turning your blood into a jelly-like substance. This blocks up your kidneys causing them to failed. Without your kidneys your blood begins to build up in toxicity and kill you eventually.
In a study of Russell‘s viper venom in Asia, 30% bit and have their kidneys fail. Another group that received treatment, 40 of 45 patients still died. But it gets worse because your body has to release so many anti-clotting agents to counteract the increase of clotting agents caused by the venom. Afterwards your body can no longer clot which means that any further cutter bite will bleed continuously. This evolutionary arms race between vipers and their prey has taken millions of years to perfect, leaving you only hours to seek treatment if you are bitten.
Vipers also use their venom for digestion, breaking down proteins before the snake even swallow their prey. Fibers found in warmer climates are deadlier than those found in colder climates and have more potent venom. They don’t always use their venom and will use a dry bite in self-defense. Vipers are great at gauging the size of their attackers to determine how much venom they will need to take them out of commission. And adult male gaboon viper has enough venom to inject a lethal dose into 30 individual humans before running out.
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