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Taï hairy bush viper
Atheris hirsuta
A rare, highly venomous arboreal viper endemic to the Taï Forest, characterized by heavily keeled, bristly scales. Demands expert handling and humid, vertically-oriented setups.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Viperinae
Genus:Atheris
Species:Atheris hirsuta
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
65 - 80 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Ambient temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 20 °C
Basking spot
27 - 28 °C
Adult size
48 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 100 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Atheris hirsuta is native to the primary tropical rainforests of West Africa, specifically documented within the Taï National Park in southwestern Ivory Coast, with possible extensions into Liberia. It inhabits the dense undergrowth and lower canopy layers of humid forests, typically clinging to low branches and shrubs where dense vine growth provides cover.
Taxonomy and Genetics: It belongs to the family Viperidae, subfamily Viperinae, and the genus Atheris. It is a highly distinct and rarely encountered member of this genus. Genetic studies align it with other African forest vipers, but its exact evolutionary relationships remain partially obscured due to the difficulty in securing wild specimens and its restricted geographical range.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily nocturnal and arboreal, this species spends its days coiled and stationary on small branches, where its coloration and texture provide excellent camouflage. It is an ambush predator, waiting patiently for prey to pass within striking distance. When threatened, it is defensive and will strike quickly; its bite is highly venomous and requires immediate clinical attention.
Morphology: The most prominent feature of this viper is its heavily keeled, erect scales, which give it a bristly or "hairy" appearance, especially around the head and neck. It has a triangular head distinct from the neck, large eyes with vertical slit pupils, and a prehensile tail that acts as a secure anchor when climbing. Adults are relatively small, reaching a length of 40 to 55 cm.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Needs a vertically oriented terrarium (minimum 60x45x60 cm for a single adult) to accommodate its arboreal habits. Furnish the enclosure with multiple thin, sturdy branches, cork bark tubes, and dense live plants (like Pothos) to provide climbing opportunities and security hides. The substrate should be moisture-retaining, such as a mix of peat moss and coconut fiber covered with sterile leaf litter.
Lighting and Heating: Even though it is nocturnal, a low-intensity UVB light (2% or 5%) is beneficial for maintaining a natural photoperiod. Heating should be supplied from above using a guarded ceramic heat emitter to prevent contact burns. Maintain a vertical thermal gradient with a basking spot of 27-28°C (80-82°F) near the top, dropping to 22-24°C (71-75°F) at the bottom, and a night temperature around 20°C (68°F).
Humidity and Hydration: Requires constant high humidity levels between 75% and 85%. This is achieved by misting the terrarium with warm water twice daily. These vipers usually drink water droplets from leaves rather than from a water bowl, so daily spraying is crucial. Good ventilation must be provided through mesh screens to prevent stagnant, mold-prone air.
Feeding and Supplementation: In the wild, they feed on frogs, lizards, and small rodents. In captivity, they can be fed appropriately sized mice using long feeding tongs for safety. Adults should be fed once every 10-14 days. Feeder rodents can be dusted with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement once a month to support skeletal health.
Compatibility: This is a strictly solitary and dangerously venomous snake. It must be housed individually in a highly secure, lockable enclosure. Cohabitation is dangerous and should only be attempted during brief breeding windows by highly experienced specialists.
Health and Common Diseases: The primary concern is the hazard of venomous bites during routine maintenance. Common health issues in captivity include retained shed (dysecdysis) due to low humidity, mouth rot (infectious stomatitis) from stress or minor injuries, and respiratory infections caused by low temperatures combined with inadequate ventilation.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Atheris hirsuta is native to the primary tropical rainforests of West Africa, specifically documented within the Taï National Park in southwestern Ivory Coast, with possible extensions into Liberia. It inhabits the dense undergrowth and lower canopy layers of humid forests, typically clinging to low branches and shrubs where dense vine growth provides cover.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 48 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 48 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 48 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
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Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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