Fittingly, another common name for this snake species is meadow viper. The field adder ... but it is generally docile and rarely bites unless provoked. The Gaboon adder has a striking pattern ...

The West African gaboon viper has the longest fangs of any snake. In a 6ft (1.83m) long specimen they measured 2in (50mm). Snakes don’t blink as they have transparent eyelids that are fused shut.