FM 3-05.70 Field Manual Survival (17 May 2002) - page 21
Figure E-37. Palestinian Viper Habitat
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Puff adder
Bitis arietans
Description: Yellowish, light brown, or orange with chevron-shaped dark brown
or black bars.
Characteristics: The puff adder is the second largest of the dangerous vipers. It
is one of the most common snakes in Africa. It is largely nocturnal, hunting at
night and seeking shelter during the day’s heat. It is not shy when approached. It
draws its head close to its coils, makes a loud hissing sound, and is quick to
strike any intruder. Its venom is strongly hemotoxic, destroying bloods cells and
causing extensive tissue damage.
Habitat: Arid regions to swamps and dense forests. Common around human
settlements.
Length: Average 1.2 meters (4 feet), maximum 1.8 meters (6 feet).
Distribution: Most of Africa, Saudi Arabia, and neighboring countries of
southwest Asia (Figure E-38, page E-73).
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Figure E-38. Puff Adder Habitat
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Rhinoceros viper or river jack
Bitis nasicornis
Description: Brightly colored with purplish to reddish-brown markings and black
and light olive markings along the back. On its head it has a triangular marking
that starts at the tip of the nose. It has a pair of long horns (scales) on the tip of
its nose.
Characteristics: Its appearance is awesome; its horns and very rough scales
give it a sinister look. It has an irritable disposition. It is not aggressive but will
stand its ground ready to strike if disturbed. Its venom is neurotoxic and
hemotoxic.
Habitat: Rain forests, along waterways, and in swamps.
Length: Average 75 centimeters (30 inches), maximum 1 meter (3 feet).
Distribution: Equatorial Africa (Figure E-39, page E-75).
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Figure E-39. Rhinoceros Viper or River Jack Habitat
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Russell’s viper
Vipera russellii
Description: Light brown body with three rows of dark brown or black splotches
bordered with white or yellow extending its entire length.
Characteristics: This dangerous species is abundant over its entire range. It is
responsible for more human fatalities than any other venomous snake. It is
irritable. When threatened, it coils tightly, hisses, and strikes with such speed that
its victim has little chance of escaping. Its hemotoxic venom is a powerful
coagulant, damaging tissue and blood cells.
Habitat: Variable, from farmlands to dense rain forests. It is commonly found
around human settlements.
Length: Average 1 meter (3 feet), maximum 1.5 meters (5 feet).
Distribution: Much of south and southeast Asia, particularly Sri Lanka, south
China, India, Malaysian Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and surrounding
islands (Figure E-40, page E-77).
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Figure E-40. Russell’s Viper Habitat
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Sand viper
Cerastes vipera
Description: Usually uniformly very pallid, with three rows of darker brown spots.
Characteristics: A very small desert dweller that can bury itself in the sand
during the day’s heat. It is nocturnal, coming out at night to feed on lizards and
small desert rodents. It has a short temper and will strike several times. Its
venom is hemotoxic.
Habitat: Restricted to desert areas.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 60 centimeters (24
inches).
Distribution: Most of northern Africa and southwest Asia
(Figure
E-41, page E-79).
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Figure E-41. Sand Viper Habitat
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JOHN H. TASHJIAN/FORT WORTH ZOO
Saw-scaled viper
Echis carinatus
Description: Color is light buff with shades of brown, dull red, or gray. Its sides
have a white or light-colored pattern. Its head usually has two dark stripes that
start behind the eye and extend to the rear.
Characteristics: A small but extremely dangerous viper. It gets the name saw-
scaled from rubbing the sides of its body together, producing a rasping sound.
This ill-tempered snake will attack any intruder. Its venom is highly hemotoxic
and quite potent. Many deaths are attributed to this species.
Habitat: Found in a variety of environments. It is common in rural settlements,
cultivated fields, arid regions, barns, and rock walls.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 60 centimeters (24
inches).
Distribution: Asia and Africa, including Syria, India, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia,
Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Egypt, and Israel (Figure E-42,
page E-81).
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Figure E-42. Saw-Scaled Viper Habitat
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Wagler’s pit viper or temple viper
Trimeresurus wagleri
Description: Green with white crossbands edged with blue or purple. It has two
dorsal lines on both sides of its head.
Characteristics: It is also known as the temple viper because certain religious
cults have placed venomous snakes in their temples. Bites are not uncommon;
fortunately, fatalities are very rare. It has long fangs. Its venom is hemotoxic,
causing cell and tissue destruction. It is an arboreal species and its bites often
occur on the upper extremities.
Habitat: Dense rain forests, but often found near human settlements.
Length: Average 60 centimeters (24 inches), maximum 100 centimeters (40
inches).
Distribution: Malaysian Peninsula and Archipelago, Indonesia, Borneo, the
Philippines, and Ryukyu Islands (Figure E-43, page E-83).
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Figure E-43. Wagler’s Pit Viper or Temple Viper Habitat
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VENOMOUS SNAKES OF AUSTRALIA
Australian copperhead
Denisonia superba
Description: Coloration is reddish brown to dark brown. A few from Queensland
are black.
Characteristics: Rather sluggish disposition but will bite if stepped on. When
angry, rears its head a few inches from the ground with its neck slightly arched.
Its venom is neurotoxic.
Habitat: Swamps.
Length: Average 1.2 meters (4 feet), maximum 1.8 meters (6 feet).
Distribution: Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, and Kangaroo Island
(Figure E-44, page E-85).
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Figure E-44. Australian Copperhead Habitat
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Death adder
Acanthophis antarcticus
Description: Reddish, yellowish, or brown color with distinct dark brown
crossbands. The end of its tail is black, ending in a hard spine.
Characteristics: When aroused, this highly dangerous snake will flatten its
entire body, ready to strike over a short distance. It is nocturnal, hiding by day
and coming out to feed at night. Although it has the appearance of a viper, it is
related to the cobra family. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin; it causes mortality
in about 50 percent of its victims, even with treatment.
Habitat: Usually found in arid regions, fields, and wooded lands.
Length: Average 45 centimeters (18 inches), maximum 90 centimeters (35
inches).
Distribution: Australia, New Guinea, and Moluccas (Figure E-45, page E-87).
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Figure E-45. Death Adder Habitat
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Taipan
Oxyuranus scutellatus
Description: Generally uniformly olive or dark brown, with a somewhat darker
brown head.
Characteristics: Considered one of the most deadly snakes. It has an
aggressive disposition. When aroused, it can display a fearsome appearance by
flattening its head, raising it off the ground, waving it back and forth, and
suddenly striking with such speed that the victim may receive several bites
before it retreats. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin, causing respiratory
paralysis. Its victim has little chance for recovery without prompt medical aid.
Habitat: At home in a variety of habitats, it is found from the savanna forests to
the inland plains.
Length: Average 1.8 meters (6 feet), maximum 3.7 meters (12 feet).
Distribution: Northern Australia and southern New Guinea (Figure E-46, page
E-89).
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Figure E-46. Taipan Habitat
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Tiger snake
Notechis scutatus
Description: Olive to dark brown above with yellowish or olive belly and
crossbands. The subspecies in Tasmania and Victoria is uniformly black.
Characteristics: It is the most dangerous snake in Australia. It is very common
and bites many humans. It has a very potent neurotoxic venom that attacks the
nervous system. When aroused, it is aggressive and attacks any intruder. It
flattens its neck, making a narrow band.
Habitat: Found in many habitats from arid regions to human settlements along
waterways to grasslands.
Length: Average 1.2 meters (4 feet), maximum 1.8 meters (6 feet).
Distribution: Australia, Tasmania, Bass Strait islands, and New Guinea (Figure
E-47, page E-91).
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Figure E-47. Tiger Snake Habitat
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VENOMOUS SEA SNAKES
Banded sea snake
Laticauda colubrina
Description: Smooth-scaled snake that is a pale shade of blue with black bands.
Its oarlike tail provides propulsion in swimming.
Characteristics: Most active at night, swimming close to shore and at times
entering tide pools. Its venom is a very strong neurotoxin. Its victims are usually
fishermen who untangle these deadly snakes from large fish nets.
Length: Average
75 centimeters
(30 inches), maximum
1.2 meters
(4 feet).
Distribution: Pacific Ocean coastal waters of Australia and southeast Asia;
Indian Ocean coastal waters. (Figure E-48, page E-93).
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Figure E-48. Banded Sea Snake Habitat
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WAIKIKI AQUARIUM
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Pelamis platurus
Description: Upper part of body is black or dark brown and lower part is bright
yellow.
Characteristics: A highly venomous snake belonging to the cobra family. This
snake is truly of the pelagic species—it never leaves the water to come to shore.
It has an oarlike tail to aid its swimming. This species is quick to defend itself.
Sea snakes do not really strike, but deliberately turn and bite if molested. A small
amount of their neurotoxic venom can cause death.
Length: Average 0.7 meter (2 feet), maximum 1.1 meters (3 1/2 feet).
Distribution: Throughout the Pacific Ocean from many of the Pacific islands to
Hawaii and to the coast of Central and South America (Figure E-49, page E-95).
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Figure E-49. Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake Habitat
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POISONOUS LIZARDS
Gila monster
Heloderma suspectum
Description: Robust, with a large head and a heavy tail. Its body is covered with
beadlike scales. It is capable of storing fat against lean times when food is
scarce. Its color is striking in rich blacks laced with yellow or pinkish scales.
Characteristics: Not an aggressive lizard, but ready to defend itself when
provoked. If approached too closely, it will turn toward the intruder with its mouth
open. If it bites, it hangs on tenaciously and must be pried off. Its venom glands
and grooved teeth are on its bottom jaw.
Habitat: Found in arid areas, coming out at night or early morning hours in
search of small rodents and bird eggs. During the heat of the day it stays under
brush or rocks.
Length: Average 30 centimeters (12 inches), maximum 50 centimeters (20
inches).
Distribution: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, northern Mexico, and
extreme corner of southeast California (Figure E-50, page E-97).
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Figure E-50. Gila Monster Habitat
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JOHN H. TASHJIAN/FORT WORTH ZOO
Mexican beaded lizard
Heloderma horridum
Description: Less colorful than its cousin, the gila monster. It has black or pale
yellow bands or is entirely black.
Characteristics: Very strong legs let this lizard crawl over rocks and dig
burrows. It is short-tempered. It will turn and open its mouth in a threatening
manner when molested. Its venom is hemotoxic and potentially dangerous to
man.
Habitat: Found in arid or desert areas, often in rocky hillsides, coming out during
evening and early morning hours.
Length: Average 60 centimeters (24 inches), maximum 90 centimeters (35
inches).
Distribution: Mexico through Central America (Figure E-51, page E-99).
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Figure E-51. Mexican Beaded Lizard Habitat
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Appendix F
Dangerous Fish and Mollusks
Fish and mollusks may be one of your major
sources of food. Therefore, it is wise to know
which ones are dangerous, what the dangers of
the various fish are, what precautions to take,
and what to do if you are injured by one of these
fish.
Fish and mollusks will present a danger in one of
three ways—by attacking and biting you, by
injecting toxic venom into you through venomous
spines or tentacles, and through eating fish or
mollusks whose flesh is toxic.
The danger of actually encountering one of these
dangerous fish is relatively small, but it is still
significant. Any one of these fish can kill you.
Avoid them if at all possible.
FISH THAT ATTACK MAN
F-1. The shark is usually the first fish that comes to mind when
considering fish that attack man. Other fish also fall in this
category, such as the barracuda, the moray eel, and the piranha.
SHARKS
F-2. Sharks are potentially the most dangerous fish that attack
people. The obvious danger of sharks is that they are capable of
seriously maiming or killing you with their bite. Of the many
shark species, only a relative few are dangerous. Most cases of
shark attacks on humans are by the white, tiger, hammerhead,
and blue sharks. There are also records of attacks by ground, gray
nurse, and mako sharks. Figure F-1, page F-2, shows various
sharks and their sizes.
F-3. Avoid sharks if at all possible. Follow the procedures
discussed in Chapter 16 to defend yourself against a shark attack.
F-1