Acanthophis is a genus of highly venomous elapid snakes. Commonly called death adders, they are native to Australia, New Guinea and nearby islands, and are among the most venomous snakes in the world. The name of the genus derives from the Ancient Greek acanthos/ἄκανθο "spine" and ophis/ὄÆι "snake", referring to the spine on the death adder's tail.
