Considered one of Africa’s deadliest snakes, the gaboon viper is one of three vipers in the African giant viper group—the other two of the group include the puff adder and the rhinoceros viper.
As a native to Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, I’ve seen many of these gorgeous, yet frightening snakes throughout my years growing up in the region. These snakes are also primarily found throughout central Africa in the dense rain forests.
Weighing in at an average of 18 lbs., and growing up to 7 ft. in length, you would think these snakes would be obvious to spot. They’re not. Their ability to mesh in with the surroundings often makes this deadly snake an unseen predator.
Interesting facts:
• Equipped with some of the largest fangs of any snake, the gaboon viper’s fangs can grow up to 2 in. in length.
• The gaboon viper’s brown, triangle-shaped head has a shocking resemblance to a fallen leaf, which allows it to blend perfectly into the rainforest floor. In addition to its head, the gaboon viper’s body is thick and comprised of colorful geometric shapes and hues including brown, black, white, purple, and pink.
• When going in for the kill, the gaboon viper waits completely still and very patiently for their prey. These reptiles will eat smaller animals such as mice, rats, frogs, and birds, but have also been known to eat much larger prey if they can handle it. Their venom is deadly and is injected to kill.
• The gaboon is a nocturnal ambush predator that waits patiently beneath leaves in the dark for the perfect time to strike its unsuspecting prey. Although they only hunt at night, the gaboon can attack at any time of the day if threatened—often, if a human is attacked it’s because they stepped on a sleeping gaboon.
• Other names the gaboon viper goes by include the butterfly adder, swampjack, and forest puff adder.
• The gaboon viper gives birth live—an average of 20 offspring at a time.
• Gaboon vipers are usually calm and only attack when agitated.
Photo from Fitnesssafaris.com
Considered one of Africa’s deadliest snakes, the gaboon viper is one of three vipers in the African giant viper group—the other two of the group include the puff adder and the rhinoceros viper.
As a native to Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, I’ve seen many of these gorgeous, yet frightening snakes throughout my years growing up in the region. These snakes are also primarily found throughout central Africa in the dense rain forests.
Weighing in at an average of 18 lbs., and growing up to 7 ft. in length, you would think these snakes would be obvious to spot. They’re not. Their ability to mesh in with the surroundings often makes this deadly snake an unseen predator.
Interesting facts:
-
Equipped with some of the largest fangs of any snake, the gaboon viper’s fangs can grow up to 2 in. in length.
-
The gaboon viper’s brown, triangle-shaped head has a shocking resemblance to a fallen leaf, which allows it to blend perfectly into the rainforest floor. In addition to its head, the gaboon viper’s body is thick and comprised of colorful geometric shapes and hues including brown, black, white, purple, and pink.
-
The gaboon is a nocturnal ambush predator that waits patiently beneath leaves in the dark for the perfect time to strike its unsuspecting prey. Although they only hunt at night, the gaboon can attack at any time of the day if threatened—often, if a human is attacked it’s because they stepped on a sleeping gaboon.
-
Other names the gaboon viper goes by include the butterfly adder, swampjack, and forest puff adder.
-
The gaboon viper gives birth live—an average of 20 offspring at a time.
-
Gaboon vipers are usually calm and only attack when agitated.
-
When going in for the kill, the gaboon viper waits completely still and very patiently for their prey. These reptiles will eat smaller animals such as mice, rats, frogs, and birds, but have also been known to eat much larger prey if they can handle it. Their venom is deadly and is injected to kill.
