The Gaboon Viper, also known as Bitis Gabonica, is the ultimate ambush snake. This six foot member of the puff adder family is thick bodied, and has a large triangular head. The body of the gaboon viper is patterned in shades of black, brown, tan, purple, white, and pink and blends in perfectly with the floor of the African rainforest. As the gaboon viper ages, it will start to develop two nostril horns. This perfectly camouflaged appearance allows the gaboon viper to remain hidden from sight, and hunt effectively in the wild.
Hunting and Prey
Preferring to ambush it's prey, the gaboon viper lies perfectly still in the leaves of the rain forest and waits for prey to happen by. With the patterns and forest colors of the gaboon viper, it is virtually invisible as it lies in wait. With the longest fangs of any snake on the planet, it injects huge amounts of venom that kills smaller animals in their tracks. Larger prey will often run away, only to die later and be tracked down by scent.
The gaboon viper will eat any warm blooded animal that it can swallow. This includes rats, mice, squirrels, and birds as well as larger mammals when the opportunity presents itself. Much like the deadly Black Mamba of Africa, the gaboon viper depends on a powerful venom that can kill virtually animal.
Reproduction and Longevity
The gaboon viper gives birth to live young and reproduces every three years or so. When they do reproduce, they often will have up to 50 baby vipers at a time. The baby gaboon vipers are against a battle to survive right from birth as predation claims many of them. Those that do survive will probably live about 10-15 years.
The gaboon viper is one of the most popular venomous snakes with collectors and can survive up to 20 years in captivity.
Danger to Humans
The gaboon viper is rarely encountered in the wild as they are decreasing in numbers due to habitat destruction. When it is encountered it is often a deadly encounter due to the element of surprise. The gaboon viper blends in to the forest floor so well, it is often not seen at all until it strikes. Extreme care must be taken to stay alert when walking in the African rain forest.
While gaboon vipers are increasingly hard to find in the wild, venomous snake collectors love them. They have a reputation for being rather docile in captivity, but this can lead to careless complacency. Though they are not overly aggressive snakes, the gaboon viper's bite is one of the most painful and deadly snake bites in the world. Without adequate medical attention, it can be lethal.
With perfect coloration, and the longest fangs of any snake in the world, the gaboon viper is a perfect example of nature's perfection at work.
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