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“Death”
Gaboon Viper - Bitis gabonicaDespite the fact that the Gaboon viper ends up on many of the lists of “World’s Deadliest” or “Most Dangerous” animals, it’s actually not anywhere near the threat that you might think. Similar to the Australian sea snakes (with some of the deadliest venom), its docile nature renders the fact that it produces the highest volume of venom much less of a threat than, say, an aggressive snake with a small amount of venom.
Granted, you shouldn’t go around picking these guys up or threatening them, but they don’t chase down intruders or threats.
Bitis gabonica is the largest of its genus (commonly known as the puff adders), and at 8.5 kg (19 lbs), is the heaviest viperid in the world. If they do manage to get a bite on someone, the hemotoxic venom can cause internal bleeding, shock, local blistering, and eventually necrosis and the need for amputation, if not treated immediately.
ETA: Apparently the Gaboon viper also has the longest fangs of any species, and that, combined with the fact that they produce the most venom and that when they DO bite, they inject venom about 3/4 of the time (as opposed to 1 in 4 times for most viperids), is why they end up on all of these “most deadly” lists. I guess it fits. Docile and chill creature overall, but don’t piss it off or you’ll be hurting.
The Uganda Protectorate. Sir Harry Johnston, 1902.
(via mudwerks)
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Report cover for the Heart of Borneo Project
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Cercosaura argulus sketches
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Lanternfly
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Cercosaura argulus
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Phyllomedusa vaillanti
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Jealous toucans
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The grass is always greener on the other side
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members of the Tragulidae family, small nocturnal cloven-hooved mammals related to deers
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![biomedicalephemera:
Thaumalia amherstiae [now Chrysolophus amherstiae] - Lady Amherst’s Pheasant
Despite the flashy appearance and elegant tail that look like they would stick out anywhere, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant does a remarkably good job at blending in with the underbrush of its native rainforest habitat, in Myanmar and China. Though not endangered, they are rarely seen in the wild.
Birds of Asia. John Gould, 1850-86.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5kw3vLcQA1qk931ho1_500.jpg)
Thaumalia amherstiae [now Chrysolophus amherstiae] - Lady Amherst’s Pheasant
Despite the flashy appearance and elegant tail that look like they would stick out anywhere, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant does a remarkably good job at blending in with the underbrush of its native rainforest habitat, in Myanmar and China. Though not endangered, they are rarely seen in the wild.
Birds of Asia. John Gould, 1850-86.
