This is a specific care sheet for Gaboon Vipers (Bitis gabonica), for more in this genus see Category:Bitis.

Gaboon Viper Warning

These snakes should not be kept in inexperienced keepers due to the fact they are extremely dangerous. They have extremely dangerous cytoxic venom and they inject serious amounts of it using the biggest set of fangs in a snake in the world, reaching 2 inches. Approximately 450-600 mg of venom is produced, only 90 mg need to prove fatal to humans. I am going to stipulate this again. The gaboon viper is not a snake to be kept by the beginner or inexperienced hot (venomous) keeper. They are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands and should be left to the experienced hot (venomous) keeper.

Gaboon Viper Temperament

Gaboons are known to have a good temperament once they get older, but maximum caution must always be taken! They look placid but are waiting for their chance! If anything comes within striking distance (which is large) they will have no second thoughts to having a go at it. Gaboons are very accurate strikers and never miss. Always use handling tools. Never get relaxed around your snake. Their sluggish appearance quickly disappears when you see how fast and hard these guys strike! Quite unbelievable!!! Please be careful! They can strike in any direction, even over their back, so handle these guys with care.

Housing Gaboon Vipers

Gaboon vipers get quite big; adults average at about 6ft but can get much bigger. You’ll need quite a big setup for an adult. Bigger is better for your safety and the gaboons, it also helps with cleaning. I would suggest for an adult your enclosure be at least the length of the snake. You could get by with a 4ft though. Gaboons don’t really move around that much, in the wild they are known to sit in the same spot for days but they don’t like to feel too enclosed. These guys can strike in any direction so do not have a mesh top enclosure!

Gaboon Viper Temperature and Humidity

Gaboons are known to suffer from dehydration so make sure you keep humidity at about 60% to 70%. Too much and they can develop scale rot and other respiratory diseases, too little and they’ll dry out! Naturally they live on the tropical forest floor, they like cooler humid climates. Keep day temps at about 75-80F on the hot side and 70F on the cool side. At night you can drop the temps about 5 degrees.

Gaboon Viper Substrate

For a natural environment, cypress mulch is suggested. It aides in keeping the humidity right and they like to bury themselves half under it. There is no need for a hide spot because they feel secure by hiding among the natural substrate. If you use an unnatural substrate like newspaper or paper towels then you’ll need a hide spot.

Feeding Gaboon Vipers

Always leave a shallow bowl of fresh water available, you can bury it to the level of the substrate so that your snake can access it easily.

Gaboons are known to get gut impaction, this can totally be avoided if your humidity is correct and they are being properly hydrated. Naturally they don’t actively search for water, if they come across a shallow pool they’ll drink. Gaboons who do not drink on their own should have their heads gently pushed to the surface of the water to encourage them to drink and train them to do so on their own. This should be enough but also give them a misting twice a week. I also give them a soak every week or so.

Gaboons are ferocious eaters, and start off on rodents. They also eats frogs, toads and lizards. Young Gaboons can be fed twice a week on appropriately sized meals. Once a week if the prey item is a bit bigger. Adults should be fed once a week. They should be fed outside of the enclosure to minimize the risk of substrate being swallowed but they tend to lift their prey above the substrate to avoid this problem themselves. Use caution when feeding!