Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't know much about a lot of venomous species, so bare with me if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about here. I was just curious as to what it is that makes an adder? A puff adder is a viper, although a death adder is an elapid right? I could very well be wrong about that, but if not, then how are they both adders?
thanks!
-Will

>>I don't know much about a lot of venomous species, so bare with me if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about here. I was just curious as to what it is that makes an adder? A puff adder is a viper, although a death adder is an elapid right? I could very well be wrong about that, but if not, then how are they both adders?
>>thanks!
>>-Will

Death adders are simply a parochial name for a unique genus of Australian elapids (Acanthophis) with a morphology strongly reminiscent of the true adders (which are vipers). They are a great example of convergent evolution, filling the same ambush feeding niche as the vipers. They have evolved a number of viper like features, including a short, stout body and also the most moveable fangs of any elapid.

Cheers
Bryan
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Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
Deputy Director
Australian Venom Research Unit
University of Melbourne

www.venomdoc.com

I was looking forward to answering such a reasonable question. Dr. Fry has nailed it. Only thing I might add is that this is why knowledge & use of scientific names is important. Many snakes have several different common, or colloquial names, but they have but one scientific name. That takes all the guesswork out of the identity of the animal.

~~Greg~~

ahhhh... I figured the answer would be something like that. I've been learning a lot of the scientific names, but mostly just the snakes that are local to me (or the ones that i really want)... there's just so many of them!
thanks!
-Will