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Gaboon Viper

Bitis gabonica

Description:

The color pattern consists of a series of pale, subrectangular blotches running down the center of the back, interspaced with dark, yellow-edged hourglass markings. The flanks have a series of fawn or brown rhomboidal shapes, with light vertical central bars. The belly is pale with irregular brown or black blotches. The head is white or cream with a fine, dark central line, black spots on the rear corners, and a dark blue-black triangle behind and below each eye. The iris color is cream, yellow-white, orange or silvery.

Habitat:

Bitis gabonica, commonly known as the Gaboon viper, is a venomous viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. This is not only the largest member of the genus Bitis, but also the world's heaviest viperid, and it has the longest fangs (up to 2 inches), and the highest venom yield of any venomous snake

Notes:

You can put this snake on a whit cloth, you will not see it! Amazing camouflage abilities.

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2 Comments

Smith'sZoo
Smith'sZoo 11 years ago

Thank you Luis, just a pity its behind glass (sort of pity ;)

LuisStevens
LuisStevens 11 years ago

Great series

Smith Zoo
Spotted by
Smith Zoo

Western Cape, South Africa

Spotted on Oct 6, 2012
Submitted on Oct 12, 2012

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