puff adder
• noun
A highly venomous, heavily built viper (Bitis arietans) native to the savannas and grasslands of Africa, known for its excellent camouflage and tendency to inflate its body and hiss loudly when disturbed.
"While on a walking safari in South Africa, the guide warned the group to scan the path carefully to avoid stepping on a resting puff adder."
North American A colloquial name for various non-venomous North American snakes, particularly the eastern hognose snake, which defensively flattens its head and puffs up its body when alarmed.
"The children were startled by what they thought was a deadly snake, but it turned out to be a harmless puff adder putting on a dramatic display."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term primarily refers to the highly venomous African viper, but in North America, it is colloquially applied to harmless hognose snakes that mimic dangerous species by inflating their bodies.
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Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.