Gaboon viper vs. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake - Battle of the deadly snakes

The West African gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) and the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) belong to the largest venomous snakes in the world. Both species can grow at least 2 meters long and can weigh over 10 kg. The West African gaboon viper and the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake have very high venom yields. The typical amounts of venom injected in one bite are massive. But which one of these heavyweight vipers is deadlier? In this video we use 5 categories to find out who would win a hypothetical battle between these deadly snakes! We compare the behavior, size, speed, venom and also how difficult it is to handle these snakes.

Note: West African gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) was considered the same species as the Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) until 1999. However, these two species are morphologically and genetically different from each other. Also, Bitis rhinoceros seems to grow a bit larger than Bitis gabonica, so we chose it for this video.

Remember that snakes are never aggressive, only defensive if they feel threatened! Calm handler = calm snake.

[herpinhippie]

Another awesome video with beautiful footage. 🐍👏

[tommyduk]

A change of pace from you guys. The photography remains a class apart, just phenomenal. Thank you!

[davedodds]

Zoologist Marlin Perkins was once bitten by a Gaboon Viper and described it as having a cigarette ground out on your flesh (or words to that effect; I read this many years ago but never forgot the incident).

[KingNekro]

"The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is a bit less robust and is faster than the West African Gaboon Viper"

That's one way of calling the Gaboon a fatty. lol

[fabizabo]

You're producing a lot of videos lately. That's great! I just hope for you that the dreaded algorithm does its part - you've done yours wonderfully as always.

[stevethomas]

A great video as always. That Gaboon viper is one of my favourites, chubby and fabulous.

[rmr]

Amazing footage!
Already one of my favorite channels

[Freakskpp]

love it so much ❤ thank you again for your amazing work, dedication and passion about it ❤❤❤

[emilemontiere]

Maybe a similar video comparing the Black Mamba to an Eastern Brown. Just an idea. Another excellent video by the waý, many thanks.

[iammykhailo]

You are extremely brave people! I will never mess with such beasts! Why did I watch this video for a night?

[wolfgangwagner]

I have watched quite a few of your videos & appreciate your respect of how both of you treat and handle any species! Amazing!!!!

[pastorjerrykliner]

I agree with the overall conclusions, but I think you miss a couple of things in your discussion:
1) Strike Speed: Gaboon Viper. As well as "Fang Size." Point of that is merely that a Gaboon's strike is incredibly fast and will penetrate more than the Rattlesnake.
2) Strike Range: Eastern Diamondback. The Eastern Diamondback can strike can reach roughly half it's body length, meaning it can "reach out and touch someone" from a further distance than the Gaboon can.
3) Habitat: Eastern Diamondback. The Eastern is just more likely to come into conflict with people more than the Gaboon because it's habitat coincides with more people.
4) Anti-venin: Gaboon Viper. Maybe it's because the Eastern does come into more conflict with people, there is well-developed and a large stock of anti-venin. Not to mention that, if you get bitten in North America, you are just closer to good medical care.

If the Gaboon lands a bite, you're probably in more trouble. But statistically, you are more likely to get bitten by the Eastern Diamondback. On just a "numbers" case, the Eastern is the more "dangerous" snake, but because of the anti-venin and medical care available, it's less "deadly" than a Gaboon Viper. Then again, more idiot keepers in North America are likely to keep a Gaboon Viper and try "free handling it" so...

[FrankUnderwoood]

Your videos about these snakes are always fun to watch. They has this old "Animal Planet" feel to them. Just please, stay safe during your travels and while attempting to handle those snakes. Greetings from your north-eastern neighbour! 🤠

[etmax]

That was great to see how you get up close and personal in your filming endeavours, it's no wonder the rattlesnake was always rattling, with you that close. In one of your previous videos I think you showed the Gaboon viper striking. I first saw one of these spectacular snakes in Amsterdam zoo in about 1973/4. Absolutely the best camouflage, the only bit that is clearly visible to me when it's lying in leaf litter is the dorsal region that is about 1-2 inches wide, and only because of the shimmer.

[czguy]

I was always under the impression that the Gaboon Viper is among the most painful bites of any snake. If taking proximity to humans into consideration, I'm certain the Eastern Diamondback is more dangerous. I understand the Gaboons are relatively difficult to find in the wild but I assure you, Eastern Diamondbacks are not. They are very widespread and if you know their preferred types of locations, they are super easy to find.

[slypperyfox]

If you’re ever driving thru southeast Ga/Northeastern Fla and run over a speed bump in the middle of nowhere - it ain’t a speed bump = it’s a huge eastern diamondback with a girth as large as the circumference of your thigh!

[nelobro]

Nice video as always!
I would love to see a video of: Crotalus atrox vs Bitis gabonica :)

[kurtdavis]

I've worked in forestry management for all my adult working career, mostly in GA/SC. In 1978 my first year I saw the largest the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake I ever saw in a large paper company tract in chesterfield county SC right off pee dee river. I would imagine Chesterfield County would have been the top of their range? By the 1990s I noticed they weren't in the upper coastal plain as much and by my retirement 2007 I basically never saw them. There is still plenty of habitat so it's strange how fast they went away from late 70s seeing them in chesterfield county to 2000s basically down towards Charleston area.

[mariuzkreuz]

Very god info about this beautiful species, amazing footage, that rattlesnake looks amazing!

[TheErik]

Both of these snakes are fine examples of evolutionary perfection.
They both have stellar reputations.
They both have absolutely beautiful natural camouflage.
They're both fat, curvy, and sexy as a snake could ever be.
I love both of them.