West African Bush Viper — Fact Sheet
Atheris chlorechis · West African Bush Viper
Provisional care starting points, not measured tolerance limits. The full guide explains habitat, feeding history and emergency preparation.
The Atheris squamigera guide offers a comparison for perching, ventilation and hydration. The provisional numerical targets here are adjusted to this species’ documented habitat; they are not a tested species-specific protocol or measured tolerance limits. Broadley’s review supports the natural-history rationale, not validation of these terrarium values.
📋 Quick reference
| Care point | Provisional active-season target |
|---|---|
| Adult length | 40–70 cm |
| One adult enclosure | 75 × 60 × 90 cm |
| Ambient air | 23–27°C |
| Basking surface | 28–29°C |
| Cool retreat | 21–24°C |
| Night air | 20–23°C |
| Relative humidity | 65–85% |
🌿 Enclosure and decoration
Build a network of crossing branches and leafy cover that lets the snake move horizontally without descending onto an exposed floor. Leave more than one dry resting fork after misting. Secure plants so that cleaning or an animal’s weight cannot pull a branch against the door gap.
Keep one animal per locked enclosure inside a locked, access-controlled room with secondary containment. Use a shift compartment that permits isolation and visual confirmation before servicing; never free-handle. Written bite and escape plans, trained backup staff and a reptile veterinarian are prerequisites.
🐁 Feeding
Natural-history records include small mammals. For a reliably established animal, offer a modest thawed whole mouse roughly every 14–21 days; juveniles need smaller prey, often every 7–10 days. These are starting intervals, not a reason to feed a sedentary adult whenever it strikes. Record body condition and ask the source keeper about any earlier prey transitions.
⚖️ Legal status
Checked 17 September 2026: the reviewed official CITES Appendices and EU wildlife-trade annexes do not list this species. Bern is not relevant to its native African range. Non-listing does not authorize capture, export or ownership: check national wildlife controls in the country of origin and local rules at the destination for dangerous animals, import, registration, breeding, transport and sale. Retain breeder identity, invoice, parentage and any export/import documents.
☠️ Venom
A 2026 clinical report describes severe consumption coagulopathy, microvascular injury and local necrosis, without demonstrated benefit from Inoserp Pan-Africa in that case.
A bite is a medical emergency. Severity varies between bites. Pain, swelling, tissue injury and serious clotting disturbance or bleeding are possible; a small snake or an apparently dry bite is not reassuring. No Atheris-specific antivenom was identified in the reviewed clinical literature. Products for other vipers cannot be assumed effective.
Move away, call emergency services, remove tight items, keep the patient still and support the limb without compression. Do not cut, suck, ice or tourniquet the wound, or delay transport to capture the snake. Agree a receiving hospital and poison-centre pathway before acquisition; treatment decisions belong to those clinicians.
🩺 Common problems
- Overheating: unusual exposed resting or repeated escape attempts warrant immediate checks of the cool hide and room.
- Respiratory infection: bubbles, wheezing or open-mouth breathing need prompt reptile-veterinary assessment.
- Dysecdysis, dehydration and dermatitis: check water access, refuge moisture and wet dirty substrate; do not manually strip skin.
- Obesity, impaction or parasites: track meals, stools and body condition; persistent change needs diagnosis.
- Reproductive problems: prolonged abnormal swelling, weakness or unsuccessful birth requires urgent veterinary advice.