Animal facts, figures, and footprints

Leaf viper/bush viper

Atheris squamigera

Visual Appearance
A long snake that can be any color
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Size
Length: 18-31 inches
Weight: 20 to 25 pounds.
Environment
Where Found: From Ghana eastward to western Kenya and Tanzania, south to northern Angola and Bioko Island
Habitat: rainforest, preferring relatively low and thick flowering bushes
Diet: Small mammals
Factoids
  • Bites from A. squamigera have resulted in at least one report of severe hematological complications[14] as well as two deaths.
  • Echis has been shown to be partially effective in neutralizing Atheris venom.
  • They have sharp scales.