Death adders are found throughout most of Australia. Three major species have been identified: the northern death adder (Acanthophis praelongus), which is found north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the desert death adder (A. pyrrhus), inhabiting desert regions of central and western Australia, and the southern death adder (A. antarcticus), distributed throughout the rest of Australia, except Victoria and Tasmania. Of the several species of New Guinea death adders, the range of one, A. laevis, extends into Australian territory in the Torres Strait. They are ambush predators, concealing themselves in leaves, sand or gravel and twitching the ends of their tails to attract prey. Prey consists of frogs, birds, lizards, mice and rats.

It is mainly active at night. Unlike most snakes, the death adder will not necessarily retreat from humans and may therefore be more easily trodden upon or disturbed by the unwary. They are said to be less likely to strike unless actually touched than other venomous snakes, but great caution is still advised.