The northern death adder (''Acanthophis praelongus'') is a species of
venomous snake
Venomous snakes are species of the suborder Serpentes that are capable of producing venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The venom is typically delivered by injection using hollow or g ...
in the family
Elapidae
Elapidae (, commonly known as elapids ; grc, ἔλλοψ ''éllops'' "sea-fish") is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydoce ...
.
The northern death adder lives in Australia and Papua New Guinea. It hunts birds, amphibians, and small mammals both by day and night. Though it resembles a viper, it belongs to a group of snakes that includes cobras and mambas.
Venom
The venom of the northern death adder is highly potent against the human organism. It contains pre- and postsynaptic
neurotoxins, possibly
myotoxin
Myotoxins are small, basic peptides found in snake venoms (e.g. rattlesnakes) and lizard venoms (e.g. Mexican beaded lizard). This involves a non-enzymatic mechanism that leads to severe muscle necrosis. These peptides act very quickly, causing i ...
s and
anticoagulants as well. An envenoming by this snake is very dangerous, and all bites should be treated as medical emergencies. Main effects include local pain and flaccid
paralysis, death can be caused by
respiratory failure
Respiratory failure results from inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, meaning that the arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, or both cannot be kept at normal levels. A drop in the oxygen carried in the blood is known as hypoxemia; a rise ...
. In the case of systemic effects of envenoming key treatment is based on
antivenom
Antivenom, also known as antivenin, venom antiserum, and antivenom immunoglobulin, is a specific treatment for envenomation. It is composed of antibodies and used to treat certain venomous bites and stings. Antivenoms are recommended only if th ...
applications ('Polyvalent Snake Antivenom (Australia - New Guinea)'
CSL Limited
CSL Limited is an Australian multinational specialty biotechnology company that researches, develops, manufactures, and markets products to treat and prevent serious human medical conditions. CSL's product areas include blood plasma derivative ...
, 'Death Adder Antivenom', CSL Limited).
Habitat
Northern death adders can be found in a wide range of habitats, including mangroves,
tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests (TSMF), also known as tropical moist forest, is a subtropical and tropical forest habitat type defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature.
Description
TSMF is generally found in large, discon ...
, tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrubland.
[Encyclopedia of Life]
"A. praelongus"
(2018-08-05)
References
Acanthophis
Reptiles of Western Australia
Reptiles of Indonesia
Reptiles of Papua New Guinea
Taxa named by Edward Pierson Ramsay
Reptiles described in 1877
Snakes of Australia
Snakes of New Guinea
{{Elapidae-stub