The viper of Gabon ( Bitis gabonica ) is a Serpent very poisonous, resulting from the tropical forests of equatorial Africa (Ghana, Togo, Angola).

Larger specimen of the family of the Viperinae , the viper of Gabon measures on average 120 cm length, although one can find some measuring 150 cm, even 2 meters. Snake with the extremely coloured ornament, which allows him a camouflage of first choice on the leafy grounds of equatorial Africa, it is an animal with night and rather calm manners.

This placidity would tend to make forget that the viper of Gabon does not hesitate to attack, even without provocation on behalf of “the enemy”, and without the least harbinger.

There exists a subspecies, Bitis gabonica rhinoceros , which carries on the end of the muzzle two outgrowths making think of horns. This species should not be confused with the Vipère rhinoceros ( Bitis nasicornis ), another species of the kind Bitis , quite as dangerous, but with the proboscides more developed much.

With the Cameroun, for the Betis (Bulus, Ewondos, etc) the viper of Gabon constitutes mets of choice. It is caught with the collet or using a branch fourchue which maintains the head to him while one breaks to him the kidneys with a Machette.

Envenimation

See also: Envenimation

The venom of this viper is more toxic (in the event of bite, the injection of the adequate Sérum must be made as fast as possible), and it has the longest hooks with venom of all the snakes (5 cm).

External bonds

See too

• List of the snakes