Mole viper or burrowing vipe

Description: Uniformly black or dark brown with a small, narrow head.

Characteristics: A viper that does not look like one. It is small in size, and its small head does not indicate the presence of venom glands. It has a rather inoffensive disposition; however, it will quickly turn and bite if restrained or touched. Its venom is a potent hemotoxin for such a small snake. Its fangs are exceptionally long. A bite can result even when picking it up behind the head. It is best to leave this snake alone.

Habitat: Agricultural areas and arid localities

Length: Average 55 centimeters, maximum 75 centimeters

Distribution: Sudan, Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda, Cameroon, Niger, Congo, and Urundi.

For information on a specific poisonous snake or lizard, click on one of the links below:

Snake Families:   - Colubridae   - Crotalidae   - Elapidae   - Viperidae   POISONOUS SNAKES OF THE AMERICAS:   - American copperhead   - Bushmaster   - Coral snake   - Cottonmouth   - Eastern diamondback rattlesnake   - Eyelash pit viper   - Fer-de-lance   - Jumping viper   - Mojave rattlesnake   - Tropical rattlesnake   - Western diamondback rattlesnake   POISONOUS SNAKES OF EUROPE:   - Common adder   - Long-nosed adder   - Pallas' viper   - Ursini's viper   POISONOUS SNAKES OF AFRICA AND ASIA:   - Boomslang   - Bush viper   - Common cobra   - Egyptian cobra   - Gaboon viper   - Green mamba   - Green tree pit viper   - Habu pit viper   - Horned desert viper   - King cobra   - Krait   - Levant viper   - Malayan pit viper   - McMahon's viper   - Mole viper or burrowing vipe   - Palestinian viper   - Puff adder   - Rhinoceros viper or river jack   - Russell's viper   - Sand viper   - Saw-scaled viper   - Wagler's pit viper or temple viper   POISONOUS SNAKES OF AUSTRALASIA:   - Australian copperhead   - Death adder   - Taipan   - Tiger snake   POISONOUS SEA SNAKES:   - Banded sea snake   - Yellow-bellied sea snake   POISONOUS LIZARDS:   - Gila monster   - Mexican beaded lizard