Adders & Vipers (Viperidae family of Snakes)
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Vipers are relatively heavy bodied snakes and often beautifully camouflaged in their natural environments.
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EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE
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|  | Crotalus adamanteus
| Highly dangerous, the lower toxicity of the venom (23rd on the LD50 index), is more than made up for by the volume of venom, size of the snake and its reputation for standing ground and agressiveness, strikes have been clocked at more than 200kph.
The largest venomous snake in North America, and the largest Rattlesnake in the world, it can reach 200cm (7 ft) in length and is a solid build, feeding on rabbits, squirrels and birds. Originally found throughout longleaf pine forests, the snake is becoming rare and confined to areas of Florida.
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Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Jan 2005)
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EYELASH VIPER
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| | Bothriechis schlegeli
| Adult Eyelash Vipers (or Palm Pit Vipers) grow to a length of up to 75cm (30in) and are found in the tropical rainforests of central and northern America. Using its prehensile tail, it remains twisted around branches waiting for prey.
Highly venomous, the Eyelash Viper gets its common name from the array of upright, pointed scales above the eyes. It also has heat-sensitive pits near the eyes that can detect minute changes in temperature that give prey away.
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Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Dec 2005)
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RHINOCEROS VIPER
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| | Bitis nasicornis
| One of the most colourful of vipers, its highly varigated pattern makes it all but invisible in the leaf-litter of the forest floors of central and western Africa. Sometimes know as the River Jack, it is commonly associated with water or swampy environments.
The Rhinoceros name comes from the 'horns' appearing at the tip of the snake's head. Growing as long as 125cm (50in), this snake can inflate when excited, making it one of the three sepcies also know as 'puff adders'. One of the most venomous snakes in Africa, it's speed and camouflage make it particularly dangerous.
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Image: David Warwick (Taronga Zoo Exhibit - Jan 2005)
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