Horned adder (Bitis caudalis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Horned adder (Bitis caudalis) (origin: Southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa) – dry savannah and semi-desert). Adult size around 30–50 cm. Life expectancy 8–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Horned adder: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm.
Horned adder: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Horned adder: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended (likes to bask).
Horned adder: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 8–12 years.
Horned adder: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 35–40 °C
- Humidity
- 30–40 %, one humid hide
- UVB
- UVB recommended (likes to bask)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- Deep sand they can dig in (desert sand), a few stones and roots
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice; young animals also take lizard substitute food
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 30–50 cm
- Life expectancy
- 8–12 years
- Origin
- Southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa) – dry savannah and semi-desert
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; keeping it requires a permit or notification, varying by German state
- Brumation
- A cooler rest period of 2–3 months (about 18–20 °C by day) to stimulate breeding
- 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 small, burrowing desert viper with horn scales above the eyes. It buries itself to lie in wait – the ground has to be deep enough and stable. Keep it dry; permanent damp quickly leads to skin problems.
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Related species
- Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) – 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
What you need to start
To keep Horned adder (Bitis caudalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Deep sand they can dig in (desert sand), a few stones and roots), 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/Bitis_caudalis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bitis&species=caudalis, https://www.tyroneping.co.za/bitis-caudalis-horned-adder/
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).