Das-Adder
Location: Mountains of South Africa.
Time: First reported in print in 1940.
Cryptozoology is most famous for its well-publicized creatures, such as Nessie, Bigfoot, etc, but the study of mystery beasts is also invariably full of obscure accounts that researchers mention, but do not look further into.
And such is the das-adder of South Africa’s Drakensburg mountain range, a snake-like brown-striped reptile, notable for having a head that resembles a Hyrax (or “dassie”, hence das-adder), and having a yellow and red striped tail. Especially notable is its extremely venomous bite, and its ability to lure victims with a hypnotic stare. In some ways, this cryptid resembles the puff adder, a large viper that is patterned similarly, save for the brightly striped tail. Of course, this beast may simply be a mythical hybrid of hyrax and puff-adder, mythology being full of half-and-half creatures such as mermaids or satyrs. The idea of a reptile having a mammal’s head is not easily reconciled with it being an actual animal, however, instead of ears, this creature is said to have crests of skin around its ear openings.
Unfortunately, the dearth of sightings and scant information on this cryptid leave it in obscurity. The best bet may be that this is yet another odd local myth, especially since it is supposed to have magic powers of hypnotism.
If the das-adder were real, some herpetologists have indicated that it may be a large, legless lizard and not a snake at all. So, our speculative Das-Adder (Hyracophis hypnoticus) averages 1.5 meters in length including the tail. It belongs to its own taxonomic grouping descended from monitor lizards, having evolved a potently venomous bite, a stocky almost rodent-shaped head and a loss of functioning limbs. The das-adder does in fact have 4 vestigial legs that are hidden under the skin, but otherwise it resembles a rather thick snake, moving by muscular sinuous movements of its body, able to thrust itself forward in a small leap or strike, much like a snake. Feeding mainly on small vertebrates, from various rodents to ground birds and their eggs, to other reptiles, the short heavy skull and jaws are adapted to give it a strong bite. It will usually kill by evenomating its prey much as a gila monster does, but its jaws are often strong enough to kill smaller creatures outright. The venom also serves well when it is threatened by predators or humans, and a single bite can easily kill a person. Prey is tracked by a combination of scent and sight, having large staring eyes, and a forked tongue.Though prominent skin-frills draw attention to the ear openings, these are mainly for intraspecial display and do not enhance its hearing, these crests can be folded flat against the head, or raised forward so they stick out. Das-adders are described in myths as having a hypnotic stare, but this has no basis in fact.
Location: Mountains of South Africa.
Time: First reported in print in 1940.
Cryptozoology is most famous for its well-publicized creatures, such as Nessie, Bigfoot, etc, but the study of mystery beasts is also invariably full of obscure accounts that researchers mention, but do not look further into.
And such is the das-adder of South Africa’s Drakensburg mountain range, a snake-like brown-striped reptile, notable for having a head that resembles a Hyrax (or “dassie”, hence das-adder), and having a yellow and red striped tail. Especially notable is its extremely venomous bite, and its ability to lure victims with a hypnotic stare. In some ways, this cryptid resembles the puff adder, a large viper that is patterned similarly, save for the brightly striped tail. Of course, this beast may simply be a mythical hybrid of hyrax and puff-adder, mythology being full of half-and-half creatures such as mermaids or satyrs. The idea of a reptile having a mammal’s head is not easily reconciled with it being an actual animal, however, instead of ears, this creature is said to have crests of skin around its ear openings.
Unfortunately, the dearth of sightings and scant information on this cryptid leave it in obscurity. The best bet may be that this is yet another odd local myth, especially since it is supposed to have magic powers of hypnotism.
If the das-adder were real, some herpetologists have indicated that it may be a large, legless lizard and not a snake at all. So, our speculative Das-Adder (Hyracophis hypnoticus) averages 1.5 meters in length including the tail. It belongs to its own taxonomic grouping descended from monitor lizards, having evolved a potently venomous bite, a stocky almost rodent-shaped head and a loss of functioning limbs. The das-adder does in fact have 4 vestigial legs that are hidden under the skin, but otherwise it resembles a rather thick snake, moving by muscular sinuous movements of its body, able to thrust itself forward in a small leap or strike, much like a snake. Feeding mainly on small vertebrates, from various rodents to ground birds and their eggs, to other reptiles, the short heavy skull and jaws are adapted to give it a strong bite. It will usually kill by evenomating its prey much as a gila monster does, but its jaws are often strong enough to kill smaller creatures outright. The venom also serves well when it is threatened by predators or humans, and a single bite can easily kill a person. Prey is tracked by a combination of scent and sight, having large staring eyes, and a forked tongue.Though prominent skin-frills draw attention to the ear openings, these are mainly for intraspecial display and do not enhance its hearing, these crests can be folded flat against the head, or raised forward so they stick out. Das-adders are described in myths as having a hypnotic stare, but this has no basis in fact.