death adder
English
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Helena_Forde_-_Death_Adder%2C_Acanthophis_antarctica_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/220px-Helena_Forde_-_Death_Adder%2C_Acanthophis_antarctica_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Copperhead_001.jpg/220px-Copperhead_001.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Heterodon_platirhinosPCCA20060423-3588B.jpg/220px-Heterodon_platirhinosPCCA20060423-3588B.jpg)
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)
- A snake of the genus Acanthophis, a group of highly venomous elapids found in Australia and New Guinea.
- The copperhead, a venomous pit viper species Agkistrodon contortrix, found in North America.
- The eastern hognose snake, Lua error in Module:taxlink at line 68: Parameter "noshow" is not used by this template., a non-venomous colubrid species found in North America.
Derived terms
Translations
Acanthophis
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