Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica)

Short answers

Gaboon viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×80 cm (adult; a generous floor area, a very heavily built animal).

Gaboon viper: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 28–30 °C (local hot spot), at night 22–24 °C.

Gaboon viper: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (a forest-floor dweller), weak UVB is tolerated.

Gaboon viper: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: over 15 years.

Gaboon viper: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

28–30 °C (local hot spot)

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

UVB not essential (a forest-floor dweller), weak UVB is tolerated

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×80 cm (adult; a generous floor area, a very heavily built animal)

Substrate

A thick layer of leaf litter over damp coco soil or a peat substitute; cork tubes and roots as hides; a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Frozen mice, rats and small rabbits (a powerful feeder)

Feeding interval

adults every 2–4 weeks

Key facts

Adult size

125–155 cm, große Weibchen bis etwa 175 cm; sehr massig

Life expectancy

over 15 years

Origin

Tropical West, Central and East Africa (rainforest and forest edge)

Protection status

A VENOMOUS SNAKE – keeping it requires a permit, notification and proof of expertise in many German states (e.g. Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse); North Rhine-Westphalia has banned new acquisitions since 2021; not listed under CITES, but observe the states' dangerous-animal law (a separate, secured snake room)

Brumation

None (tropical); a slight seasonal variation in temperature and humidity to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – strictly; they cope badly with disturbance; put them together only briefly and under supervision for breeding, and never keep males together

Notes

Highly venomous and medically significant (the longest fangs of any snake, with a large venom yield) – strictly for experienced specialists with a safety concept and access to antivenom. Sluggish, but it strikes at lightning speed. At too high a humidity plus warmth there is a risk of respiratory infections – ventilate well.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Horned adder (Bitis caudalis) – Expert
• Rhinoceros viper (Bitis nasicornis) – Expert
• Puff adder (Bitis arietans) – Expert
• West African gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) – Expert
• Peringuey's adder (Bitis peringueyi) – Expert
• Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
• Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
• Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×80 cm (adult; a generous floor area, a very heavily built animal)), substrate (A thick layer of leaf litter over damp coco soil or a peat substitute; cork tubes and roots as hides; a large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.