General Description: This slender bush viper reaches a length of about 22 inches with females getting slightly larger than males. It is located in isolated populations in the Usambara and Uzungwe mountains in East Africa. These snakes are easily recognized by the 1-3 horns (actually modified scales) that are located over each eye and give this bush viper its name. It can vary in color from yellow to green to black and may have black chevrons down the dorsal surface or it may be striped yellow and black.

Little is known about the venom and no antivenin is produced.

Adult Pair of Atheris ceratophora. Photograph by Derek Morgan

Care and Propagation: Tall cages are required due to their more arboreal nature and the environment should mimic that of a montane forest. Slightly higher humidity (60-70%) and slightly lower temperatures (75-78ºF) are recommended. They are arboreal and the cage should be well furnished for this. Frogs undoubtedly make up a large part of their diet in the wild, but they readily accept pre-killed or thawed rodents by tongs. Due to their slower metabolisms, feeding once every two to three weeks is sufficient. A. ceratophora is known for a nasty temper and its willingness to strike, so extreme care is needed during feeding and while handling (with hooks or tongs).

There have been recent breedings of this species, but no readily available reports of the manipulations required for breeding are known. Manipulation of the wet/dry cycle, heating, and lighting cycle are recommended.

[main] [ceratophora] [nitschei] [squamigera]