Black-speckled palm pit viper (Bothriechis nigroviridis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Black-speckled palm pit viper (Bothriechis nigroviridis) (origin: Costa Rica, Panama – cloud forest above 1,500 m). Adult size around 50–75 cm. Life expectancy 12–16 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Black-speckled palm pit viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
80×60×100 cm.
Black-speckled palm pit viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 20–26 °C (cool), basking spot 27 °C, at night 16–19 °C.
Black-speckled palm pit viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
Black-speckled palm pit viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–16 years.
Black-speckled palm pit viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 20–26 °C (cool)
- Night temperature
- 16–19 °C
- Basking spot
- 27 °C
- Humidity
- 80–90 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 80×60×100 cm
- Substrate
- Sphagnum or coco humus, rich in moss, climbing branches
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 50–75 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Origin
- Costa Rica, Panama – cloud forest above 1,500 m
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal under German state law
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A highland species with the lowest temperature requirement in the genus. Keeping it too warm is the classic mistake here.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) – Expert
- Side-striped palm pit viper (Bothriechis lateralis) – Expert
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
- Ottoman viper (Montivipera xanthina) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Black-speckled palm pit viper (Bothriechis nigroviridis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×100 cm), substrate (Sphagnum or coco humus, rich in moss, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Reptile Database: Bothriechis nigroviridis - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bothriechis&species=nigroviridis, Wikipedia: Black-speckled palm-pitviper, ovoviviparous – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothriechis_nigroviridis, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothriechis, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothriechis_nigroviridis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bothriechis&species=nigroviridis
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).