What is the Difference Between Cape Cobra and Puff Adder?

The Cape Cobra and Puff Adder are two highly venomous snakes found in Africa, belonging to different families and exhibiting various differences in their appearance and behavior. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Family: Cape Cobra is an elapid cobra, while the Puff Adder is a viper.
2. Color and Pattern: Cape Cobra is plain yellow in color without scale patterns, whereas the Puff Adder is blackish to greyish-brown with dark and white streak patterns along its body.
3. Size: Puff Adders are generally thicker and heavier-bodied, while Cape Cobras are of average size.
4. Head Shape: The head shapes of the two snakes are different.
5. Activity: Cape Cobras are active during the daytime, while Puff Adders are active at dusk.
6. Venom: Cape Cobra venom is neurotoxic and affects the respiratory system of the victim, while Puff Adder venom is cytotoxic and affects the cardiovascular system.
7. Reproductive Mode: Cape Cobras are oviparous (laying eggs), while Puff Adders are ovoviviparous (giving birth to live young).
8. Human Encounters: Puff Adders are responsible for more human bites than Cape Cobras due to their higher occurrence and wider distribution in Africa.

Despite these differences, both snakes are highly dangerous, and their venom can be fatal if not treated with the appropriate anti-venom. Identifying the snake responsible for a bite is crucial for administering the correct treatment.

Comparative Table: Cape Cobra vs Puff Adder

Here is a table summarizing the differences between Cape Cobra and Puff Adder:

Cape Cobra is an elapid cobra with plain yellow color without scale patterns, while Puff Adder is a viper with blackish to greyish-brown color and dark and white streak patterns. Cape Cobra is an average size snake, whereas Puff Adder is thick and heavy-bodied. Cape Cobra is active during daytime, and Puff Adder is active at dusk. The venom of Cape Cobra is neurotoxic and affects the respiratory system, while the venom of Puff Adder is cytotoxic and affects the cardiovascular system. Cape Cobra is oviparous, and Puff Adder is ovoviviparous.