death adder

English

death adder, Acanthophis antarctica

Agkistrodon contortrix

Heterodon platirhinos

Wikispecies

Etymology

Sometimes suggested to derive from deaf adder, a colonial-era name for the snakes which referenced their tendency to remain in place (to ambush prey) rather than flee upon hearing human activity, but probably a simple reference to their venomousness.

Noun

death adder (plural death adders)

1. Any snake of the genus Acanthophis, a group of highly venomous elapids found in Australia and New Guinea.
2. A copperhead, a venomous pit viper species Agkistrodon contortrix, found in North America.
3. An eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platirhinos, a non-venomous colubrid species found in North America.

Derived terms

• common death adder
• desert death adder

Translations

Acanthophis

• Chinese: 死亡蛇屬／死亡蛇属
• Dutch: doodsadders
• French: faiseur de mort
• German: Todesottern (de)
• Hungarian: halálkígyó
• Limilngan: iyatdururr
• Lithuanian: mirtinosios gyvatės
• Norwegian: dødsorm
• Russian: смерте́льная змея́ f (smertélʹnaja zmejá)
• Spanish: víbora de la muerte f
• Tok Pisin: please add this translation if you can