Adder is a name given to several species (kinds) of snakes in various parts of the world. Most of these snakes are venomous, meaning that their bite injects poison. The bite of some adders is deadly to human beings. The European viper is frequently called adder in the United Kingdom. It is the only venomous snake there. The puff adder of Africa is a large, deadly snake with distinct markings. It has a thick body and long fangs. The death adder is a dangerous snake of Australia. The hognose snakes of the United States are commonly called puff adders. They get this name from their behavior of hissing and flattening the front part of their bodies when disturbed. Although hognose snakes are considered harmless, their venom can cause harmful reactions in some people.
