General Description: This is one of the larger bush viper species with adults reaching between 18-24 inches in length. Females grow larger than males and may be twice their weight. Their distribution in the wild cover areas of West and Central Africa. They are mainly nocturnal and somewhat arboreal, preferring to bask in large shrubs or small trees by day. At night they may retreat to the ground where they hang head-down by their prehensile tails, and ambush prey. Prey includes rodents, frogs, and lizards. They have relatively large eyes, a wide mouth, and keeled scales that give them a rough, or hairy appearance. The coloration of this species is extremely diverse, including red, orange, green, blue, gray, and black, or any combination of the above. Also, many examples of this species will continue to change colors their entire lives. Changing from green as a baby to yellow as an adult and then changing somewhat back to green in old age is possible. The tail tips are usually colored white or yellow and may be used for luring prey.

Adult Maroon-banded Atheris squamigera. Photograph by Derek Morgan

As with all of the Atheris species, little in known about their venom composition. Though often considered to be mild in the past, there have been deaths reported from bush viper bites. There is no antivenin manufactured and existing antivenin seem to have little effect in Atheris bites, although it has been reported that antivenin for Echis sp. may help a bit. Poor blood coagulation may require blood transfusions.

Care and Propagation: Tall cages with live or artificial plants and branches are required for this species to exhibit any natural arboreal tendencies. Still, some animals may tend to hide on the ground by day, only venturing to the branches at night. Housing them individually in the off-season is necessary due to their tendency to bite one another during feeding time or when they are riled. Gravid females, especially, can be quite aggressive towards other snakes and may kill males left in with them for too long of a period. Ambient temperatures of 78-82 degrees are ideal while providing a basking spot of a slightly higher temperature is recommended. While they require only mild humidity, scheduled misting is recommended for newly-acquired snakes that may not drink from bowls. Most snakes will accept appropriately-sized, pre-killed or frozen (thawed) mice from tongs. Babies and juveniles may need to be tail-teased. This trick involves tapping the snake's tail with the prey item to invoke a strike. Since they are nocturnal, successful feedings may occur more readily when the lights have gone out. Atheris species seem to be vulnerable to fatty liver disease and should therefore be fed conservatively. Feeding babies one rodent weekly and adults one rodent every two to three weeks is acceptable.

The success of breeding this species revolves around a wet/dry cycle. These snakes breed from September to November in the wild and may need no manipulation to breed during this time in captivity. However, by cycling a wet/dry period, they may be bred at almost any time of the year. This involves a period of higher temperatures and lower humidity for 2-3 months (while still misting twice weekly for hydration). At this point temperatures are lowered slightly and humidity is raised (by heavy misting) and the sexes are introduced. Copulation usually takes place at night and may not be witnessed, though it may occur almost instantly after introduction of the sexes. They are viviparous (live-bearers) and the birth of 5-15 young after 6-7 months is normal.

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