It turned out to be a Gaboon viper. To this day, I thank my lucky stars I didn’t linger.

Had I paused or reached toward it, I might not be here to tell the story.

The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa —

and the world’s heaviest venomous snake. With an almost supernatural

camouflage, it blends perfectly into forest floors, hiding in plain sight among fallen leaves.

Most people never see it until it’s too late.

Some chilling facts:

Size: Up to 2 meters long

Weight: As much as 8 kilograms

Fangs: The longest of any snake — up to 5 cm

Venom: Capable of destroying tissue and causing life-threatening clotting

Temperament: Calm and motionless unless stepped on or provoked — then it strikes with deadly precision

Diet: Hunts small mammals and birds, and can even swallow hedgehogs or small antelope whole

Despite its power, it’s not aggressive toward humans. Most bites are accidental

— a step in the wrong place. And if bitten, without immediate antivenom, survival is unlikely.

I was lucky. One more step, one moment of curiosity — and this close encounter could’ve ended in tragedy.