How long does it take you to spot the predator?
The Gaboon viper of West Africa.
Weighing 18 pounds and growing up to six feet, it's Africa's heaviest venomous snake.
This ground dweller blends perfectly with its surroundings.
Most snakes are actually non-venomous.
And not all venomous snakes are lethal to humans.
But one bite from this viper can kill a man.
Thankfully, the viper is hard to provoke.
And it's waiting to ambush smaller prey.
Hours may pass without it twitching a muscle-but when it strikes...it's lightning fast.
The rat survives the initial attack, but not for long.
The venom will take effect within minutes.
And the dying rat leaves a scent trail for the Gaboon viper to follow at its leisure.
Camouflaged ambush suits the viper well.
Unlike many other predators, it doesn't risk injury subduing its prey.
It just strikes-and waits for it to die before gobbling it up.
