The main prey of death adders is skinks, then frogs and mammals (Shine et al. A Currawong was once seen repeatedly swooping an exposed death adder and pecking at its head until, only after few minutes, the adder lay lifeless with a hole in the top of its head. While other birds may not prey on death adders, that does not mean that they won’t try to kill them (probably in a misled effort to protect their nest (death adders don’t predate nests)). Small death adders are probably taken by a number of predators, including Kookaburra birds. Large death adders are eaten by large lizards called Goannas or Varanids (Varanidae). When this time comes, they can be seen crossing roads on warm nights and even turning up in peoples’ houses. But then, presumably triggered by some environmental cues, they’re on the move. Though very little is known about their ecology, anecdotal evidence suggests they stay put for months on end. and Viperidae snakes (Photos: CNZdenek ) Death Adder Ecology
thin tail, triangular head, thick and short body) between Acanthophis sp. Photographic comparison of a Common Death Adder ( Acanthophis antarcticus) with a Terciopelo Viper ( Bothrops asper), illustrating morphological similarities (e.g. That is, while these two groups of snakes are not closely related, they independently arrived at similar foraging modes and thus similar body shapes to suit these needs. This morphologic similarity and ecology with vipers (Viperidae) suggests convergent evolution, despite the genetic dissimilarity of being in two different families. This unusual body shape, combined with a triangular head, thin neck, and thin tail give it a viper-like appearance (image below). Whilst its musculature is not designed for quick escape, they are thought to be one of the fastest striking snakes in the world. While the bodies of other elapid (Elapidae) snakes are slender and long, that of death adders is broad and short. The body shape of the death adder is distinctive.
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This fact makes them a hazard to bush walkers or land workers, but also one of the easiest snakes to handle for professional snake handlers. The broken color pattern of the death adder suits this approach, and burrowing beneath the leaf litter renders them impossible to spot sometimes. Their first line of defense against predators is to not be detected in the first place. When in danger, camouflaged critters remain motionless for safety. The caudal lure is adjacent the head, probably to ensure the protection of this precious, modified body part. Note the scale colours matches either the top or underneath of leaves remarkably well. Common death adder ( Acanthophis antarcticus). (No snakes have external ears, but they do pick up on ground vibrations). Their reluctance to retreat has even led to their alternative name of ‘deaf adder’ based on the misled belief they cannot hear approaching humans. Whereas other venomous snakes in Australia are active foragers, death adders are a sit-and-wait ambush predator. Within Australia, death adders are an outlier among all other venomous snakes. Treating the dog prior to symptoms showing gives the dog the best chance for their survival. comm., Magnetic Island Veterinarian), and that is regardless of antivenom treatment (which can cost thousands of dollars). Unfortunately, dogs only live on average 20 minutes after symptoms are seen (pers. When dogs are bitten by death adders, their back legs go limp, and the paralysis works its ways to the lungs, eventually killing the victim. With an average fang length of 6.22mm and being a high venom yielder, combined with the fact they are nocturnal and cryptic, death adders are considered highly dangerous to co-inhabiting humans or their pets. This image shows flattening behaviour to enlarge the body and evade predators. The northern death adder ( Acanthophis praelongus). This illustrates the point that these bits are ‘warning bites’ and that venom injection is a voluntary action chosen by the snake depending on the perceived level of threat. Dry bites are regularly reported with death adders, with snakebite victims not showing any symptoms nor requiring any antivenom. Venom is very energetically expensive to produce and is not always injected with a bite. Clinical symptoms from death adder envenomation include paralysis of extra ocular muscles, abdominal pain, headache, drowsiness, and enlargement of regional lymph nodes. This then can result in respiratory failure (asphyxiation) and therefore death unless assisted breathing is given.
The venom from Death Adders is mostly neurotoxic, eventually leading to a loss of control in the voluntary muscular system via post-synaptic blockage of neuromuscular transmission.
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