The Common Death Adder

The Common Death Adder

(Acanthophis antarcticus), is a species of Death Adder native to Australia. It is one of the most venomous land snakes in Australia and the world. Unlike its sister species of Death Adders, the Common Death Adder is common and is not under major threat.
The Common Death Adder occurs over much of eastern and coastal southern Australia – Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It may also be found more scarce in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and the west parts of South Australia, due to its sister species of Death Adder.
Common Death Adders eat small mammals and birds as a primary diet. Unlike other snakes, the Common Death Adder lies in wait for its prey (often for many days) until a meal passes. It covers itself with leaves — making itself inconspicuous — and lies coiled in ambush, twitching its yellowish grub-like tail close to its head as a lure. When an animal approaches to investigate the movement, the death adder quickly strikes, injecting its venom and then waiting for the victim to die before eating it. This ambush hunting makes the death adder more of a threat to humans.The Common Death Adder is the world’s fifth most venomous snake and probably the fastest of all Australian snakes when it comes to striking a victim. Death Adders are an ambush predator and while other snakes may attempt to flee if a human comes near a Death Adder is unlikely to, increasing the danger if not noticed.