SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

The wonderful world of exotic pets

Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)

Gaboon vipers are the largest of the vipers, with some individuals reaching beyond 2 meters in length. Their 5cm fangs and angular head shape gives them a menacing appearance, though they are some of the more popular venomous snakes kept within the hobby.

Gaboon vipers are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. After a 7 month gestation period, females can birth up to 30 offspring at once. This typically happens during the rainy season which runs from September to December in their native range of sub-Saharan Africa.

In typical terrestrial viper fashion, the Gaboon viper is a solitary and nocturnal animal that will spend the majority of its time stationary in ambush. Its incredible camouflage contributes to the many deaths that this species has caused as people often disturb the snake before they even know it’s there.

As with all venomous animals, keepers should seriously consider whether keeping an animal with the potential to kill its owner is the right decision. DWA licenses are required meaning a secure facility and enclosure are necessary to keep this animal. However, as these snakes have been kept in private collections since the 1970s and they have an extremely placid temperament 99% of the time, they are a popular venomous species.

For the average keeper, the horrific combination of hemotoxins and cytotoxins in this snakes venom, capable of limb loss and fatalities, is enough to put them off. Yet, those that want to keep this species outside of the African continent should also keep 10-20 vials of South African Polyvalent Antivenin in a refrigerated place in the home for the 1% of times that Gaboon vipers can get grumpy.