#bitis peringueyi

Photographer Spends 10 Days Tracking Down Snakes in Namibia

Peringuey's adder (Bitis peringueyi)

Photographer: Marisa Ishimatsu

Peringuey’s adder (Bitis peringueyi) buried in the sand at Dorob National Park in Namibia

(Bitis peringueyi) Peringuey’s adder, Dwarf puff adder

Habitat: Confined to dry, sandy coastal areas, particularly sparsely-vegetated wind-blown dunes. The only adder that inhabits the wind-blown sands of the true Namib Desert. Found from Rotkuppe in southern Namibia north to Porto Alexandre in Angola.

Activity and Behavior: Nocturnal; spends day mostly buried in sand w/ top of head, eyes, & tip of tail exposed. Eats mainly sand lizards, sometimes barking geckoes, & gets all its water either from its prey or from droplets of occasional coastal fogs that condense on its flattened body. Females bear 4-10 live young (each 11.5-13.5 cm long)/ litter, in Autumn (Dec.-Apr.). Crawls across sand w/ typical serpentine movements. 

(Bitis peringueyi)  Peringuey’s adder, Peringuey’s desert adder, sidewinding adder

Habitat: Confined to dry, sandy coastal areas, particularly sparsely-vegetated wind-blown dunes. The only adder that inhabits the wind-blown sands of the true Namib Desert. Found from Rotkuppe in southern Namibia north to Porto Alexandre in Angola. 

Activity and Behavior: Nocturnal; spends day mostly buried in sand w/ top of head, eyes, & tip of tail exposed. Eats mainly sand lizards, sometimes barking geckoes, & gets all its water either from its prey or from droplets of occasional coastal fogs that condense on its flattened body. Females bear 4-10 live young (each 11.5-13.5 cm long)/ litter, in Autumn (Dec.-Apr.). Crawls across sand w/ typical serpentine movements. 

(Bitis peringueyi) Peringuey’s adder, Dwarf puff adder, Zwergpuffotter, Namib viper

Todays Snake Is:

The Peringuey’s Adder or Namibian Sidewinder (Bitis peringueyi) is a venomous snake native to Namibia and Angola. These snakes are ambush hunters and will bury themselves in the sand in wait of prey such as lizards, luring them with the black tips of their tails. They are well-adapted for life in the desert, as demonstrated by their high-set eyes, which allow them to see even when otherwise below the surface.