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March 8, 2013
March 8, 2013
Rhino Viper, Cameroon
Photograph by Mattias Klum, National Geographic
This Month in Photo of the Day: National Geographic Magazine Features
The element of surprise gives this rhino viper in Cameroon an edge over prey. Quick-kill venom finishes the job. Vipers provide valuable toxins, including those used in drugs for hypertension and heart disease and to control bleeding during surgery.
See more pictures from the February 2013 feature story "The Bite That Heals."
Learn more about venemous snakes from Emerging Explorer Zoltan Takacs »
See pictures of our world in shades of brown »
See more pictures of snakes »
11 comments
1 Like
What a brilliant camouflage! I would have certainly stepped on the viper, not knowing that it was there.
Can't imagine something so venomous can be so beautiful.
@Myra Linara unfortunatley in the world of nature, the most beautiful things are often the most deadly... but a real sense of satisfaction when you manage to get close enough to take a picture and live to tell the tale!
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