What distinguishes the European adder from the African puff adder?

The puff adder is a much more dangerous species with a high yield of cytotoxic venom compared to the European adder.

The distinction between these two species is critical for risk assessment. The European adder is a smaller snake with hemotoxic venom that rarely causes fatalities, whereas the African puff adder possesses a significantly higher volume of cytotoxic venom. This cytotoxic venom is capable of causing severe tissue damage, necrosis, and systemic shock if not treated immediately with professional medical intervention. Confusing these two snakes leads to either panic in low-risk areas or dangerous complacency in high-risk environments.