Rough-scaled bush viper (Atheris hispida)

Short answers

Rough-scaled bush viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 70×35×35 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers). Height matters, arboreal.

Rough-scaled bush viper: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 28–30 °C (small hot spot at the top), at night 20–23 °C.

Rough-scaled bush viper: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB (approx. 6 h) recommended.

Rough-scaled bush viper: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Rough-scaled bush viper: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

28–30 °C (small hot spot at the top)

Humidity

70–80 %, mist daily but let it dry out well

UVB

Weak UVB (approx. 6 h) recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 70×35×35 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers). Height matters, arboreal

Substrate

Coco humus with sphagnum, dense climbing branches at head height, foliage

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size, occasionally frogs for variety

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days (strongly inclined to put on fat), juveniles weekly

Key facts

Adult size

50–70 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Central Africa (the Congo basin, Uganda, Kenya) – montane rainforest

Protection status

VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; keeping it requires a permit or notification, varying by German state; not listed under CITES

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

Considered difficult in the long run: a tricky feeding response and sensitivity to permanent wetness. Experienced keepers advise running it a little drier rather than too damp – permanently high humidity regularly leads to skin and respiratory problems. Arboreal, a calm ambush hunter, but fast to strike.

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Related species

• Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
• Variable bush viper (Atheris squamigera) – Expert
• Great Lakes bush viper (Atheris nitschei) – 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rough-scaled bush viper (Atheris hispida) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 70×35×35 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers). Height matters, arboreal), substrate (Coco humus with sphagnum, dense climbing branches at head height, foliage), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.