It may have a reputation as lazy, relying on camouflage for protection, but the Puff Adder is surprisingly responsible for the most snake bite-induced deaths in the whole of Africa. These sneaky serpents are opportunistic hunters: instead of actively seeking prey, they let some poor unsuspecting animal stumble through their territory at night before striking with lightning speed.

If you're a small mammal, lizard or bird, you have less than 0.25 seconds to get away. In fact, if you're currently habitat-hunting, we recommend avoiding the savannahs and grasslands of Morocco and western Arabia. If you're a human, be warned: this highly venomous viper species spends most of its life on the ground and has a particular penchant for terrorising footpaths.