West African night adder

Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is widely distributed throughout West and Central Africa, covering a range extending from Senegal and Mauritania eastwards to the Central African Republic and Sudan. It adapts to a wide variety of habitats, including degraded humid forests, wooded savannas, grasslands, marshes, and agricultural lands near human settlements. It prefers environments with good vegetation cover and constant proximity to water bodies, where it can find plenty of prey.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Causus maculatus is a member of the family Viperidae, subfamily Causinae. First described in the nineteenth century, this species shares with its congeners the unusually long venom glands that extend along the sides of the neck and make contact with the anterior body musculature. Genetically and morphologically, it is distinguished by stable pattern designs that differentiate it from other Causus species in the same range.

Behavior and Habits: It has mainly terrestrial habits and, although active primarily during twilight and night, it can be spotted during the day in shaded zones. It is an active hunter that patrols the ground searching for amphibians. When disturbed or cornered, it displays a noisy defensive behavior, flattening its body, raising its head, and hissing repeatedly before trying to escape or striking with rapid bites.

Morphology: The body of Causus maculatus is cylindrical and moderately stocky, with a short head distinct from the neck covered with large flat shields. The total length in adults generally varies between 40 and 60 centimeters. The ground color varies from gray to golden brown, decorated with a series of large dark rectangular or rounded blotches arranged in a row along the back, often bordered by waist-high plants.

Terrarium Setup: To house an adult, a terrarium of at least 90x40x40 cm is required. The ideal substrate consists of moist coconut fiber, peat, or shredded bark to simulate the undergrowth of African forests, maintaining a thickness of at least 5-8 cm. Multiple dry and humid hides (such as boxes with damp sphagnum moss) must be inserted in both the hot and cold zones to ensure proper thermoregulation.

Lighting and Heating: Heating must recreate a daytime thermal gradient between 25-26 °C in the cool zone and 30-32 °C at the hot basking spot, while at night the temperature should drop to 20-22 °C. The use of a thermostat is mandatory to avoid dangerous thermal spikes. A 12-hour light cycle with a UVB lamp (5% or 6% T5) is recommended to stimulate natural behavior and support general health.

Humidity and Hydration: This species requires slightly higher humidity levels than other night adders, ideally between 60% and 75%. This can be achieved by spraying dechlorinated water on the substrate once or twice a day, avoiding stagnant water accumulation. A stable and deep water bowl must always be available to allow the reptile to drink and soak, especially during the shedding period.

Feeding and Supplementation: The diet is based primarily on toads and frogs. Getting the snake used to accepting mice in captivity can take time and is usually done by rubbing the mouse on an amphibian to transfer its smell (scenting). Adults should be fed every 10-14 days, while young specimens every 7 days. It is essential to dust prey with calcium and reptile-specific multivitamins every three or four feedings.

Compatibility: It is a strictly solitary animal that must be housed individually. The presence of other specimens causes severe stress and can trigger territorial attacks or cannibalism toward smaller individuals. Being a venomous species, access to the terrarium must be restricted and protected by security locks to prevent accidental escapes.

Health and Common Diseases: Common health issues include intestinal parasites (frequent in wild-caught individuals), respiratory infections due to low temperatures combined with high humidity, and fungal dermatitis if the substrate is constantly soggy. In case of prolonged starvation, assisted feeding by experienced personnel may be necessary. Handle only with safety hooks or tongs.