Stocky viper up to 1.4 m. Tan with dark chevron pattern. Causes more snakebite deaths than any other African snake — its lethargy means people step on it.

Cytotoxic venom causes massive tissue damage, often requires amputation. Without antivenom mortality 15-20%. Doesn't flee — relies on camouflage.

Almost all of Africa except Sahara, rainforests, and desert tops. Most widespread venomous snake in Africa.

Sluggish ambush hunter. Hisses ('puffs') as warning. Strikes with unusually fast lateral motion. Active at night in hot regions.

Africa carries about 36% of global rabies burden — 21,476 deaths per year, almost all transmitted by dog bites. Most victims are children under 15.

Once rabies symptoms appear, mortality is near 100%. Post-exposure vaccination works only before symptoms. Stray dogs are main reservoir. Major problem in DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania.

Across all of Africa. Highest rabies burden: DRC, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya. Eradicated in: South Africa (urban), Egypt (mostly).

Stray and unvaccinated dogs are main reservoir. Children most vulnerable due to height and inability to defend themselves.

Up to 1.5 m. Olive to grey-brown with pink belly. Most common cobra of southern Africa.

Spits venom accurately at 3 m — targets eyes, can cause permanent blindness. Cytotoxic bites cause severe necrosis.

Savannas of Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, northern South Africa, Angola, Namibia.

Nocturnal. Often enters huts at night looking for rodents — bites or spits at sleeping occupants. Plays dead when threatened.

Up to 1.5 m. Dark with ridged scales and white throat bands. Endemic to southern Africa. Not a true cobra but closely related.

Spits venom up to 2.5 m into eyes, causing intense pain and possible blindness. Cytotoxic + neurotoxic bite. Famous for playing dead — flips over with mouth open.

Grasslands and highlands of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe. Common on the Highveld.

Active by day and night. When threatened, rears up and spits; if that fails, feigns death convincingly. Gives live birth.

Up to 6 m — Africa's largest snake. Non-venomous constrictor. Powerful enough to kill and swallow antelope, and rarely, humans.

Kills by constriction — suffocates prey. Documented fatal attacks on humans, including children. Bite from backward-curving teeth causes deep wounds even without constriction.

Savannas, forests, near water across sub-Saharan Africa — from Senegal to Ethiopia, south to South Africa.

Ambush predator. Often near human settlements hunting rats and poultry. Females guard eggs. Can go months between meals after a large kill.