Reptiles Active day and night

Snouted Night Adder

Causus defilippii

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Snouted Night Adder is a small, charismatic viper recognized by its 'turned-up' nose and bold chevron markings. Frequently found in African gardens, it is a master at hunting amphibians and a fascinating subject for backyard wildlife enthusiasts.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Average length of 30–40 cm (12–16 inches), rarely exceeding 45 cm (18 inches).

palette

Colors

Grey, light brown, or mauve-grey background with a series of dark brown or black V-shaped markings (chevrons) along the back; belly is yellowish or white with dark speckles.

visibility

Key Features

Distinctly upturned, pointed snout
Prominent dark V-shape marking on the head with the apex between the eyes
Short, stocky build with a short tail
Velvety skin texture from keeled scales

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active day and night

brightness_5

Peak hours 6-10 AM, 5-9 PM

calendar_month

Season October-March (Rainy season)

restaurant

Diet Specializes almost exclusively in amphibians, particularly toads and frogs, which it tracks by scent.

park

Habitat Moist savanna, coastal bush, and suburban gardens, especially those near water sources like ponds or vleis.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Snouted Night Adder Live?

Native to the southeastern regions of the African continent, the Snouted Night Adder thrives in a variety of low-lying and coastal environments. Its core range extends from Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, southward through Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It is particularly common in the northeastern provinces of South Africa, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as throughout Eswatini.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries

2.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

ZA South Africa ZW Zimbabwe MZ Mozambique TZ Tanzania Malawi ZM Zambia KE Kenya Eswatini

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Reptiles arrow_forward

Behavior

The Snouted Night Adder is a terrestrial hunter that, despite its nocturnal name, is often found basking in the sun or hunting during the daylight hours, especially on overcast or humid days. It is known for a spirited defensive display; when cornered, it will puff its body up with air and hiss loudly to appear more intimidating. Unlike many other vipers that tend to be sluggish, this species is relatively quick and agile.

Socially, these snakes are solitary creatures that only interact for mating. They are oviparous, with females typically laying a clutch of 6 to 10 eggs during the summer months. While they are venomous, their venom is not considered lethal to healthy humans, typically causing localized pain and swelling rather than systemic symptoms. However, they are efficient predators of amphibians, using their venom to quickly immobilize frogs and toads.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Snouted Night Adder on your backyard camera, you must think low. Because these snakes are small and ground-dwelling, a camera mounted at standard height will likely miss the action entirely. Mount your AI camera no more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) off the ground. Aiming the camera along the base of a wall, a garden border, or a fallen log is ideal, as snakes use these linear features as runways for safe travel.

The best 'bait' for a Snouted Night Adder isn't food you put out, but the environment you create. Positioning your camera near a backyard pond or a consistently damp area will significantly increase your chances of a sighting. These snakes are attracted to the frogs and toads that congregate in moist spots, especially after a summer rainstorm. If you have a garden light that attracts insects (and subsequently toads), that is a prime spot for a camera setup.

Timing is crucial for this species. Set your camera to be most sensitive during the early evening hours and immediately following rain. High-trigger sensitivity is recommended because, while they can be slow, their strikes and defensive lunges are lightning-fast. Ensure the area in front of the lens is clear of tall grass or moving leaves, which can cause false triggers or obscure the snake's intricate chevron patterns and distinctive upturned snout.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Snouted Night Adder.

Rhombic Night Adder

Larger in size with a rounded, blunt snout and usually more numerous markings.

Puff Adder

Much larger and thicker body with distinctive horizontal bands rather than V-shaped chevrons.

Browse all Reptiles arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Snouted Night Adders are active both day and night, though they are most frequently seen hunting during the humid hours of dusk or basking in the early morning sun.

You can attract them by creating a habitat for their prey. A small garden pond or moist rockery that attracts frogs and toads is the best way to encourage these snakes to visit.

Their diet consists almost entirely of amphibians, specifically toads and various species of frogs found in garden and savanna environments.

Yes, they are very common in suburban gardens across South Africa and Zimbabwe, especially in well-watered gardens with plenty of cover.

The easiest way is the nose; the Snouted Night Adder has a distinctly upturned, pointed snout, whereas the Rhombic Night Adder has a more rounded snout. The Snouted version is also generally smaller.

Record Snouted Night Adder at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo