Great Lakes bush viper (Atheris nitschei)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Great Lakes bush viper (Atheris nitschei) (origin: The East African highlands (Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo, Zambia)). Adult size around 60–75 cm. Life expectancy 8–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Great Lakes bush viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 75×40×40 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers).
Great Lakes bush viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–27 °C (slightly cooler than lowland species), basking spot 27–29 °C, at night 18–21 °C.
Great Lakes bush viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
Great Lakes bush viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 8–12 years.
Great Lakes bush viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–27 °C (slightly cooler than lowland species)
- Night temperature
- 18–21 °C
- Basking spot
- 27–29 °C
- Humidity
- 75–85 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 75×40×40 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers)
- Substrate
- Coco humus or sphagnum, cooler montane forest conditions, dense climbing branches
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice, the occasional frog
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–75 cm
- Life expectancy
- 8–12 years
- Origin
- The East African highlands (Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo, Zambia)
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; keeping it requires a permit or notification, varying by German state
- Brumation
- None, a slight seasonal drop is possible
- 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 montane forest species – it tolerates heat markedly worse than the lowland bush vipers. Permanently above 28 °C is harmful.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
- Variable bush viper (Atheris squamigera) – Expert
- Rough-scaled bush viper (Atheris hispida) – Expert
- West African bush viper (Atheris chlorechis) – 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
What you need to start
To keep Great Lakes bush viper (Atheris nitschei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 75×40×40 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers)), substrate (Coco humus or sphagnum, cooler montane forest conditions, dense 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: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheris_nitschei, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Atheris&species=nitschei
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).