West African gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros)

Short answers

West African gaboon viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×80 cm (adult, a generous floor area).

West African gaboon viper: What temperature does it need?

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

West African gaboon viper: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (a forest-floor dweller).

West African gaboon viper: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: over 15 years.

West African 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)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×80 cm (adult, a generous floor area)

Substrate

A thick layer of leaf litter over damp coco soil; cork tubes as hides, a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Frozen food: mice, rats, and for larger animals rabbits

Feeding interval

adults every 2–4 weeks

Key facts

Adult size

130–180 cm, große Tiere regelmäßig um 2 m; sehr massig

Life expectancy

over 15 years

Origin

West Africa (Guinea to Ghana and Togo) – rainforest

Protection status

A VENOMOUS SNAKE – keeping it requires a permit, notification and proof of expertise depending on the German state; North Rhine-Westphalia bans new acquisitions; not listed under CITES

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Gaboon vipers are solitary, and hungry animals strike at anything that moves — two animals in one enclosure can be neither fed nor tended safely. Males fight fierce combat bouts in the breeding season that put strain even on sturdy enclosures. For breeding, introduce the female to the male under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

The western sister species of the Gaboon viper, long treated as its subspecies. Very long fangs and a large venom yield – medically highly significant. It seems sluggish, but strikes at lightning speed without warning. Only with a secured snake room and an emergency plan.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for West African gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) – Expert
• Horned adder (Bitis caudalis) – Expert
• Rhinoceros viper (Bitis nasicornis) – Expert
• Puff adder (Bitis arietans) – 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 West African gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×80 cm (adult, a generous floor area)), substrate (A thick layer of leaf litter over damp coco soil; cork tubes 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.