Western Bush Viper

Appearance

Adults average 50 cm in total length , with a maximum total length of 70 cm . The tail is relatively long. The body is relatively slender, with 25-36 midbody rows of dorsal scales. These are heavily keeled, with the keels ending in a swelling at the end of each scale.

Adults have a uniform light green ground color, overlaid with a series of faint yellow, roughly paired spots running dorsally along the length of the body and about 2.5 cm apart. The belly is pale green in color. Newborns are tan-brown in color, but this changes to a yellow-green hue with irregular dark spots within 24 hours. This second color phase has been described as the reverse of that of the adults and is only seen in individuals less than 25 cm in total length.

Naming

Western bush viper, West African leaf viper, West African tree viper.

Habitat

Found in forests, in dense foliage about 1–2 m above the ground.

Reproduction

Gives birth to 6-9 young in March to April. Newborns are 131–151 mm in total length.

Food

Said to feed on rodents, lizards and tree frogs.