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Home > Snakes > West African Gaboon Viper

West African Gaboon Viper

The West African Gaboon Viper is a species of vipers found in the central part of the continent of Africa. They are the world’s heaviest ‘viperid’ with the longest fangs that can grow up to 5 cm in length.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Reptilia
    Order Squamata
    Suborder Serpentes
    Family Viperidae
    Genus Bitis
    Species B. gabonica
    Scientific Name Bitis gabonica


    Other Names butterfly adder, forest puff adder, whisper, swampjack, Gaboon adder
    Length 174 cm (69 in)
    Coloration Patterns of black, dull yellow, brown and off white
    Distribution Sub-Saharan Africa
    Habitat rainforests and savanna regions
    Diet Different kinds of birds like dove and mammals and different species of rodents like field mice and rats, and even hares and rabbits
    Venom Fact Venomous
    Breeding Season September – December
    Clutch Size 10 to more than 40 live young
    Mode of Reproduction Viviparous

    West African Gaboon Viper Pictures Gallery

    Published on September 1st 2017 by under Snakes. Article was last reviewed on 14th June 2019.

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