Rough-scaled Death Adder

About the Rough-scaled Death Adder

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Rough-scaled Death Adder

Is the Rough-scaled Death Adder venomous?

Yes. The Rough-scaled Death Adder (Acanthophis rugosus) 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 Rough-scaled Death Adder poisonous?

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

Is the Rough-scaled 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.

What does the Rough-scaled Death Adder eat?

Death adders are generalists that feed upon small mammals, birds, lizards, and frogs. It is likely that allometric (size-related) shifts occur, with smaller specimens feeding more upon lizards and frogs and larger specimens including more mammals in their diets. Regional and interspecific differences in diet may also occur, although these are poorly documented. Like other species in the Elapidae family, they are ground hunters, and can wait for days and days in grass for food.

If you are bitten by the Rough-scaled Death Adder

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.

More Elapidae snakes

• 
  Southern Death Adder
  Acanthophis antarcticus
• 
  Northern Death Adder
  Acanthophis praelongus
• 
  New Guinea Death Adder
  Acanthophis laevis
• 
  Pilbara Death Adder
  Acanthophis wellsi
• 
  Plains Death Adder
  Acanthophis hawkei
• 
  Desert Death Adder
  Acanthophis pyrrhus
• 
  Kimberley Death Adder
  Acanthophis cryptamydros
• 
  Red-bellied Black Snake
  Pseudechis porphyriacus

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 rugosus

Keep learning

• Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
• Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
• Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
• What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.