West African Bush Viper
An attractive viper from tropical West Africa. This viper is a small and makes for an attractive display reptile. Feeds mainly on lizards in the wild and hatchlings can be problem feeders. This viper has a potent hemotoxic venom and bites from West African Bush Vipers have caused human deaths.
Usumbara Bush Viper
This small bush viper is distinct from other Bush Vipers by its cluster of scales which form a horn above each eye. Usumbara Bush Vipers live in tropical mountain forests near streams where they catch their preferred prey of geckos, frogs, nestling birds and rodents. Usumbara Bush Vipers have a potent venom and need to be handled with caution. This species is available in South Africa.
Variable Bush Viper
Variable Bush Vipers come in a large variety of colour phases. Variable Bush Vipers can be green, yellow or even a bright red colour. This Bush Vipers can found in tropical rain forests in Angola, Nigeria, Cameroon and the Congo. Most specimens in for sale are wild caught. Wild caught females can be gravid when captured and can give you some extra vipers to care for. The Variable Bush Viper is bad tempered and strikes if provoked. A bite from a Variable Bush Viper could be fatal.
This Bush Viper has very heavily keeled ( rough) scales that give it a spiny or hairy appearance. Hairy Bush Vipers live in rain forest, woodlands and around swamps. Hairy Bush Vipers are nocturnal and arboreal. Captive Hairy Bush Vipers will spend most of their time coiled around cage decorations in an elevated position in the cage. Hairy Bush vipers feed on mammals and frogs. Bites from Hairy Bush Vipers cause at the least severe pain and blood clotting problems. A bite can from a Hairy Bush Viper could be potentially fatal. There is no antivenom produced for this viper.
Timothy Zedi
Tim Zedi is a seasoned reptile enthusiast with over 25 years of experience in keeping and breeding a wide variety of reptiles. Tim was the former chairman of the West Rand Herpetological Association and volunteered at the Transvaal Snake Park.Tim has been instrumental in creating knowledge in the reptile community. He is a regular contributor to Practical Reptile Keeping magazine, where he shares his expertise and insights. Through his work, Tim has become a respected figure in the herpetology field, dedicated to educating others and promoting responsible reptile care.