West African bush viper (Atheris chlorechis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for West African bush viper (Atheris chlorechis) (origin: West Africa (Guinea to Ghana and Nigeria) – rainforest). Adult size around 50–70 cm. Life expectancy 8–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
West African 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 before floor area.
West African bush viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 28–30 °C, at night 20–23 °C.
West African bush viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
West African bush viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 8–12 years.
West African 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
- Humidity
- 70–80 %, mist daily but let it dry out
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 70×35×35 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers). Height before floor area
- Substrate
- Coco humus or sphagnum, plenty of horizontal branches, dense planting
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice, the occasional frog
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days, juveniles weekly
Key facts
- Adult size
- 50–70 cm
- Life expectancy
- 8–12 years
- Origin
- West Africa (Guinea to Ghana and Nigeria) – rainforest
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; keeping it requires a permit or notification, varying by German state
- 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
An arboreal bush viper, somewhat less tricky than A. hispida, but likewise not one for beginners. It needs climbing structure at head height and a retreat in dense foliage.
Do you keep this species?
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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
- Rough-scaled bush viper (Atheris hispida) – 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 West African bush viper (Atheris chlorechis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 70×35×35 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, bush vipers). Height before floor area), substrate (Coco humus or sphagnum, plenty of horizontal branches, dense planting), 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://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westliche_Buschviper, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Atheris&species=chlorechis
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).