Is the Northern Death Adder venomous?

Yes. The Northern Death Adder (Acanthophis praelongus) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Northern Death Adder poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Northern Death Adder is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Northern Death Adder live?

The Northern Death Adder has verified records in 2 countries, including Australia, Papua New Guinea. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Elapidae

Northern Death Adder

Venomous

Acanthophis praelongus

Northern Death Adder — Acanthophis praelongus, © Lawrence Hylton

5 photographs of the Northern Death Adder. © Lawrence Hylton.

The Northern Death Adder (Acanthophis praelongus) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 2 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Elapidae
Danger: high

About the Northern Death Adder

The northern death adder (Acanthophis praelongus) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.

The northern death adder lives in Australia and Papua New Guinea. It hunts birds, amphibians, and small mammals both by day and night. Though it resembles a viper, it belongs to the elapid family, which also includes cobras and mambas.

Venom

The venom of the northern death adder is highly potent against the human organism. It contains pre- and postsynaptic neurotoxins, possibly myotoxins and anticoagulants as well. An envenoming by this snake is very dangerous, and all bites should be treated as medical emergencies. Main effects include local pain and flaccid paralysis, death can be caused by respiratory failure. In the case of systemic effects of envenoming key treatment is based on antivenom applications ('Polyvalent Snake Antivenom (Australia - New Guinea)' CSL Limited, 'Death Adder Antivenom', CSL Limited).

Habitat

Northern death adders can be found in a wide range of habitats, including mangroves, tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrubland.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Northern Death Adder

Is the Northern Death Adder venomous?: Yes. The Northern Death Adder (Acanthophis praelongus) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Northern Death Adder poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Northern Death Adder is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Northern Death Adder dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Northern Death Adder live?: The Northern Death Adder has verified records in 2 countries, including Australia, Papua New Guinea. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Northern Death Adder

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Australia Papua New Guinea

More Elapidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Acanthophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Acanthophis praelongus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.