![]() In captivity Gaboon vipers seem fairly easy to care for because of their placid nature, but they are in fact difficult to keep. If you look at the picture you will see that it is almost impossible to describe the sheer beauty of these snakes. Their buff-colored head is divided by a thin dark brown line and creates the impression of a fallen leaf. Their body color is probably their most spectacular feature and is based on a geometric pattern of purple and dark browns interspersed with pastel colors. There has even been a report of a Gaboon viper that attacked and ate an antilope! Gaboons are capable of swallowing relatively large food items such as rabbits, guinea pigs, or pigeons. This behavior is very different from the behavior of other species of vipers. The Gaboon viper does not let go of its prey after it has struck, but hangs on to it, rather then letting it go and waiting for it to die. These animals will weigh about 8 to 10 kg and have a head-size of approximately 125 mm ( 5 inches ) and matching fangs of 55 mm. Gaboons can reach a length of 1.20 mtr ( 4 feet ) on average, but lengths of 2.10 mtr (7 feet ) and more have been recorded. As soon as a prospective prey animal passes by and comes within striking range, it is attacked with a speed and fierceness that one would not expect from an animal, which on the outside looks a bit sluggish. They live on the floor of these forests, and spend most of their time in the direct neighborhood of the paths where prey animals are likely to pass by.īecause of their color pattern they are difficult to spot and this effect is enhanced because they like to 'dig themselves in' so that they become virtually invisible. The natural habitat of the Gaboon vipers is spread along the equatorial belt of Africa, which consists mainly of tropical rain forests like the Ituru forest in Kenya. They are one out of the three members of the African Giant vipers group which consists of:īitis Gabonica.(East and West-African Gaboon vipers)īitis Nasicornis.(Rhinoceros viper) Gaboon vipers are members of the Viperidae Family and can be found exclusively in Africa. Welcome Anonymous Register a Nickname! or
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