GABOON VIPER Bitis gabonica ©Laura Quick This solitary snake is easily recognizable (though often hard to spot) due to its beautiful, symmetrical patterning, it disappears into the leaf litter. As an ambush predator, this nocturnal hunter will hide among the leaves and wait for its prey to pass by. Sometimes its victims will unknowingly walk right on top of the snake, not realizing their mistake until it is too late. With the highest venom yield of all venomous snakes, they have a deadly bite. The number of human fatalities is low as Gaboon vipers tend to be very calm, docile snakes. When threatened, they will initially hold very still and produce a loud, hissing sound as a warning. Unless striking, they tend to be slow-moving. Gaboon viper bites are rare; however, when they bite it is often fatal. Their record-length retractable fangs can be two inches long! #gaboonviper #viper #snake #two-inchfangs #©lauraquick #highestvenomyiel #thelair #los angeles zoo #glaza #lazoo #losangeleszooandbotanicalgardens #docent class #africa #bitisgabonica #ambushpredator #beautiful #animal #reptile https://www.instagram.com/p/B45orJ-HVr3/?igshid=2a6gquf0vn7