Puff adder under a pillow in Constantia [video]

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In a video that will certainly make your skin crawl – particularly for those who might be scared of snakes – renowned herpetologist Tyrone Ping has shared a clip of his latest encounter with a puff adder that had become an unwanted visitor in a Constantia home.

The video, narrated by Ping, shows him approaching the hiding place of the snake, which appears to be behind a pillow on some outdoor furniture.

“I just got to the house now, and, apparently, there is a large snake behind this pillow… That is a very upset puff adder,” Ping adds as the snake can be heard hissing in warning as he moves the pillow back.

You can see the video of the puff adder in Constantia below:

The puff adder is well known as one of the most feared and venomous snakes in Africa. The name comes from their habit of puffing themselves up and hissing loudly when threatened, to appear larger and deter predators.

They are generally found in a wide variety of habitats, including savannahs, grasslands, open forests, scrubland, and even semi-desert areas.

Puff adders are ambush predators, relying on their excellent camouflage to remain hidden, and while typically sluggish, they can strike with surprising speed, sometimes launching their entire body forward.

Puff adder venom is potently cytotoxic, meaning it primarily causes damage to cells and tissues, and while the venom is deadly, deaths from bites are relatively rare if proper medical attention is sought quickly.

Important Note: Puff adders often rely on their camouflage and may not move away from approaching footsteps. If accidentally stepped on, they will strike defensively. They are responsible for a significant number of snakebite incidents in Africa due to their wide distribution and tendency to remain still.