In the morning, I noticed something strange in our yard. At first, it seemed like just a toy — too still, with an unusual pattern 🤔🤔
I even got closer to take a better look. But suddenly… this “toy” started to move slowly. 😱😱
My heart stopped from fear. 😥 I quickly recorded a short video and, without hesitation, ran away from there. Later, once I was safe, I decided to find out what it was. I posted the video online, and when I found out what it was, I was simply horrified 😱 It’s so good that nothing happened to me 😥 I’m sharing the details in the first comment 👇👇
As it turned out, it was a Gaboon viper.
I sincerely thanked God that I left quickly, because if I had stayed even a little longer or tried to touch it — everything could have ended differently.
Who is the Gaboon viper?
The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa and the heaviest of all venomous snakes in the world.
Because of its amazing camouflage, it easily blends in with the leaves, and it’s almost impossible to spot.
Facts that make you uneasy:
Length — can reach up to 2 meters.
Weight — up to 8 kilograms
Fangs — up to 5 centimeters — the longest among all snakes
Venom — powerful, destroys tissue and coagulates blood
Behavior — usually calm and does not attack without reason, but if stepped on or disturbed — lightning-fast attack
Prey — small mammals and birds, sometimes swallows a porcupine or a small antelope whole
Despite its terrifying arsenal, the Gaboon viper rarely bites people — mostly only if it is accidentally disturbed. But the chance of surviving without antivenom is minimal.
So yeah… I’m not exaggerating when I say that this morning could have been my last.
