Gaboon viper

Bitis gabonica · The Gaboon viper is a large, highly venomous snake living in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Also called Gaboon adder.

Gaboon viper
Photo: Marius Burger, CC0
Gaboon viper
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gaboon viper
Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyViperidae
GenusBitis
SpeciesBitis gabonica

Where it lives

Rainforests and savannas of West, Central and East Africa.

Fun facts

  • It has the longest fangs of any venomous snake, reaching up to 2 inches (5.1 cm) long.
  • A large specimen caught in 1973 weighed a hefty 11.3 kg (25 lb) even on an empty stomach.
  • Its eyes can move so independently that one can look forward while the other looks backward.
  • Unlike most vipers, it doesn't let go after biting - it hangs onto prey with its fangs until it dies.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).