The Death Adder aka The Copper Head
Although the term is sometimes applied to Agkistrodon contortrix (commonly called Copperheads,) the term “Death Adder” is mainly applied to snakes in the Acanthophis genus. Scientists do not have a single consensus on the taxonomy of these animals, with three generally accepted species plus four possible species. At least seven other possible Death Adder species have been reclassified as subspecies. Examples of these reptiles can be found in Australia, Papau New Guinea, and Indonesia. The length of adult reptiles ranges from 24 to 39 inches (60 to 90 cm,) with females being considerably smaller than males.
These snakes don’t actively hunt. Instead, they will bury themselves in soil or leaves, leaving only the head and tail exposed. The snake lures prey by wiggling the end of the tail, tricking the hapless animal into thinking it has found a worm or grub. Adders have been known to stay in place for days waiting for the next meal to be drawn in by this ploy. Unsurprisingly, most bites occur when a hapless human steps on a disguised snake.
Death Adders produce a venom that is neurotoxic, with bites causing paralysis and, after several hours, full respiratory shut-down in humans. Until an antivenom was developed, nearly half of the bites from these snakes were lethal. In the future, this venom may be used to save lives: It acts by blocking acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter known to be a factor in Alzheimer’s disease. Those suffering from the disease have reduced numbers of receptors to absorb acetylcholine, and it’s believed that compounds in the venom could restore the nervous system’s chemical balance.
No comments yet.