West African Green Bush Viper (Atheris chloroechis) Family: Vipers (Viperidae) Order: Squamates or Scaly Reptiles (Squamata)

Other names:  Western Bush Viper, Green Tree Viper. Size:  Usually 45-55 cm, occasionally 70 cm. Distribution:  West Africa (from Guinea to Ghana, with isolated records from Nigeria). Habitat:  Arboreal, living in trees, shrubs, etc. in the rainforest, 1-2 m above ground. The tail is fairly long and strongly prehensile, an adaption to the viper's arboreal habits. Food:  Frogs, lizards, small birds, and rodents. Reproduction:  6-9 young are born in March-April, measuring 13-16 cm at birth. New-born youngs are tan-brown, but change to yellow-green with irregular dark green mottling within the first 24 hours. Adults are light green with faint yellow, more or less paired spots down the back. The belly is pale green or sometimes blue. Variation:  The colours of the juvenile snakes are very different from the adults (see above). Venom & snakebite:  Not much is known about the venom of this species, but no fatal bite cases have been reported. Venom yield is fairly small (up to 100 mg) and toxicity not high, so in most cases, bites are not expected to be dangerous, although serious symptoms may occur. No specific snakebite antivenom is produced against the venom of this species, which is due to the fact that it is not considered a major problem in health statistics. References: Dobiey, M. & Vogel, G. 2007. Venomous snakes of Africa / Giftschlangen Afrikas. Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main. 148 pp. Spawls, S. & Branch, B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Blandford, London. 192 pp. Trutnau, L. 1998. Schlangen im Terrarium: Haltung, Pflege und Zucht. Vol. 2. Giftschlangen. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart. 367 pp. Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard

Gallery Home The West African Green Bush Viper is a small snake species, which is adapted to a life in bushes and trees. © Rune Midtgaard.