Here are 16 striking facts about Viper snakes.
#1 What’s in a Name
Think of the word Viper and chances are the image of a serpent striking with a venomous bite comes to mind. While the term is now firmly linked with the reptiles, it was actually taken from the Latin word ‘Vipera’ (VIE-pare-uh), which refers to viviparity, or the process of giving live birth as opposed to laying eggs. That is a common trait in most vipers, but it’s not shared in the majority of snakes overall.
#2 Mean Greens
Vipers can show up in diverse colors, and that includes green. In fact there are several species that are identified as green vipers. They include Africa’s Great Lakes Bush Viper and the ruby-eyed Green Pit Viper native to Southeast Asia. The best known green viper is probably the White-Lipped Viper. That animal is also native to Southeast Asia and have white jaws that sharply contrast with their yellow eyes and kelly green coloration.
#3 Land, Trees and Water
Vipers can be arboreal (living in trees) like Matilda’s Horned Viper found in Tanzania. Or the reptiles can dwell on the ground like the Common Adder or the Gaboon Viper which we mentioned a few segments back. And these critters can even be at home in the water. The Cottonmouth (or water moccasin) is the world’s only semiaquatic viper. It favors lakes and streams of the southeastern US and is known as a strong swimmer.
#4 Physical Types
Vipers typically have stocky bodies with short tails. Their heads have a triangular shape due to the location of their venom glands. Most species have pupils that are vertically shaped and covers most of the eye. Since they’re nocturnal animals those pupils allow them to see better in the dark. And their bodies are covered in keeled scales, meaning that they’re ridged, and not smooth. A great example of such is the Hairy Bush Viper from Africa. Its dorsal scales are so extremely keeled that they look like bristles!
#5 Viper Venom
These snakes produce venom that is strong enough to induce severe pain, intense swelling, and prevents the blood from clotting. Necrosis, or cell death and decay, is another effect. When it comes to how much venom is injected, it depends on several factors including the size and species of the snake involved. Larger specimens tend to inject much more venom, while certain species can strike multiple times over a short period. They can actually decide how much venom they want to inject, according to the prey involved. Sometimes they’ll deliver a dry bite in order to save their venom. But any viper bite requires prompt medical attention. Even so, in extreme cases an affected limb might have to be amputated
#6 Strength in Numbers
Did you know that there are more than 200 species of vipers? That includes well known specimens like Cottonmouths, Bushmasters and rattlesnakes like the Western Diamondback. They’re widespread around the globe with Antarctica and Madagascar being among the few places they’re absent. Some of these serpents including the three we just mentioned are identified as pit vipers, so we’ll focus on them next.
#7 Pit Vipers
Vipers are typically placed into two groups -- Pit Vipers and Old World Vipers. Most sources consider Pit Vipers to be a viper subfamily. They can be found from desert to rainforest environments and include Rattlesnakes and Fer-de-Lances among other species. These creatures get their common name from the pit organs that are located on both sides of their head. The organ is sensitive to infrared radiation and allows the snake to receive a type of heat image of their warm-blooded prey. That enables Pit Vipers to make strikes that are more accurate and deadly.
#8 Prey Localization
Pit Vipers can actually track down their prey after biting them while their venom takes longer to immobilize the victim. It contains certain proteins that allow the snakes to keep tabs on their potential meal. It's a vital adaptation that experts call prey localization and has resulted in the rattlesnakes familiar strike and release bite behavior after the prey dies. Pit Vipers will use its sense of smell to locate it. The process can be an advantage for Pit Vipers ince it keeps contact with potentially dangerous prey animals to a minimum.
#9 Size Matters
On average these reptiles can range in size from 10 inches 25 centimeters for dwarf Viper's up to around 10 feet or 3 pass meters. The longer specimens are bushmasters found in South America. In fact this species is usually recognized as the largest of all Pit Vipers with one specimen documented with a length of 12 feet 3.6 meters that also makes it the longest venomous snake found in the Western Hemisphere. Wildlife biologists say these are the only Vipers known to lay eggs.
#10 Appearances can be Deceiving
Compared to other snakes Pit Vipers can sometimes appear sluggish. That's because they're more inclined to protect themselves by blending into the environment instead of quickly moving away from a threat. It's also because Pit Vipers are typically ambush predators. Once they've determined where the prey is most likely to be in, Pit Vipers just sit patiently and wait. But they can move quickly when they want to. Experts say that the African puff adder can strike within a quarter of a second. Pit Vipers is said to be responsible for more snake bite fatalities in Africa than any other snake.
#11 Prey
Depending on their size, Pit Vipers can consume birds, lizards, eggs and small mammals if the prey is dead. They'll just swallow it in one go that's made possible by the snakes efficient digestive system in addition to killing their prey. The Pit Vipers' venom makes the meal more digestible by breaking down the prey animals' proteins and acids.
#12 Predators
Actually Pit Viper snakes in general have more predators than you might have guessed. The reptiles' number one enemy is probably birds, owls, hawks and falcons are among those that will swoop down on snakes. Pit Vipers also have to contend with other snake species wanting to have them for dinner. Literally among mammals, the Mongoose is known for its efficiency in thinning out the snake population. And carnivores like the honey badger are immune to cobra venom in particular and has a nearly impenetrable hide. Those beasts will take on just about any snake regardless of its size or species.
#13 Blink of an eyelash
Pit Vipers have a number of strange members in their family. The eyelash pit viper is an arboreal serpent found in Central and South America. The common name comes from the pointed scales over their eyes that can resemble eyelashes. They can show up in some vivid colors including yellow, silver, purple and green. Experts say the coloration can allow them to blend in with flowers or banana bunches. The exact purpose of those so-called eyelashes is still a mystery.
#14 Horned Vipers
No surprise that Pit Vipers get their name from the horn like scales that project from their faces. Several snakes are identified as such and the majority are located in Africa and the Middle East. The most extreme examples might be the desert horned Viper and the aptly named many horned adder. All species have a horn positioned over each eye except for one animal. The horn nosed Viper has a single horn located above the snout. It's also unique in that those reptiles are found in Europe and in parts of Asia as for those horns they might help to protect the snakes eyes or even play a role in camouflage. But their exact purpose is still unknown.
#15 Endangered Species
Hard to imagine Pit Vipers being endangered but such as the case. There were 57 species with a status ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered. Those creatures include some of the world's rarest Pit Vipers like the golden lancehead, which is located only on a small island off the coast of Brazil. And the Santa Catalina rattlesnake named for that island in the Gulf of Mexico has seen its population decline due mainly to over collecting.
#16 Deadly Species
All Pit Vipers are known for being venomous and for having relatively large hollow fangs, that are hinged that allows the animal to deliver deep bites to deliver their toxin. Maybe the deadliest example of this is the Gaboon Viper. It's native to Africa and has the longest known fangs of any snake, not just Pit Vipers. Their fangs measure about two inches long that's five centimetres and can inject the highest venom yield of any serpent. These Gaboon Vipers can open their mouths almost 180 degrees to deliver a strike.
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