It turned out to be a Gaboon viper.

I still thank my lucky stars I didn’t linger — had I stayed even a second longer or tried to reach for it out of curiosity, things could’ve taken a deadly turn.

So, what exactly is a Gaboon viper?

The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa — and the heaviest venomous snake on Earth.

Its natural camouflage is almost supernatural, allowing it to vanish among fallen leaves. You’d never know it was there until it was too late.

Some truly chilling facts:

• Size: Can grow up to 2 meters in length
• Weight: Up to 8 kilograms
• Fangs: A terrifying 5 centimeters — the longest fangs of any snake
• Venom: Potent enough to destroy tissue and cause severe clotting
• Temperament: Typically docile and
• unmoving unless provoked — but if you step on it or get too close, it strikes with deadly precision
• Diet: Eats small mammals and birds, and can even swallow a hedgehog or small antelope whole

Despite its terrifying potential, the Gaboon viper is rarely aggressive toward humans. Most bites happen purely by accident — and when they do, the consequences are severe. Without immediate antivenom, survival is unlikely.

So when I say that morning could have been my last… I’m not being dramatic. It was a real brush with death — and I’ll never forget how close it came.