Planning a trip to Addo Elephant National Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Puff Adder in Addo Elephant National Park
Puff Adder are most active late afternoon into dusk (17:00 to 20:00) and at night (19:00 to 05:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Puff Adder's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Addo Elephant National Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
About the Puff Adder
The puff adder is a large, heavy-bodied venomous snake widely distributed across much of sub-Saharan Africa. It has a broad triangular head and highly variable brown, grey, yellow and olive patterns that provide excellent camouflage among leaf litter and vegetation. It is primarily an ambush predator, relying on camouflage and remaining motionless until prey approaches. Its diet includes rodents, birds, frogs, lizards and other small animals. When threatened, it commonly inflates its body and produces a loud hiss before striking.
How to identify the Puff Adder
Large, heavy-bodied viper with a broad triangular head, short tail and strongly keeled scales. Highly variable in colour, ranging from brown and grey to olive or reddish tones, with distinctive darker geometric or chevron-shaped markings along the back.
Other species to look for in Addo Elephant National Park
Other parks where you can see Puff Adder
Heading to Addo Elephant National Park? opspoor shows where Puff Adder have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.