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Two-lined night adder
Causus bilineatus
A venomous and robust African night adder aesthetically distinguished by two striking pale longitudinal lines running straight down its head and upper anterior body.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Causinae
Genus:Causus
Species:Causus bilineatus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
55 - 75 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Ambient temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 20 °C
Basking spot
30 - 31 °C
Adult size
65 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 120 L
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is primarily found in the grasslands, moist savannas, and woodlands of Central and Southwestern Africa, with documented records in Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. It frequents areas characterized by significant seasonal rainfall and abundance of low herbaceous vegetation, often near marshes or the shores of freshwater bodies where amphibians are present in large numbers.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Causus bilineatus belongs to the family Viperidae, subfamily Causinae. Initially described as a variant or subspecies, it has been defined as a distinct species due to clear diagnostic morphological characters, particularly the light lateral lines. It shares the unique venom biology of the genus Causus, which includes remarkably elongated venom glands located along the body rather than restricted to the head.
Behavior and Habits: It is a terrestrial species, active both day and night depending on temperatures and seasons. It has a relatively shy temperament and prefers to flee if disturbed. However, if cornered or harassed, it raises the front of its body and hisses loudly. It spends much of its time hidden under fallen logs or in dense bushes, actively hunting frogs and toads.
Morphology: The body is cylindrical and of medium build, with a total length in adults ranging from 35 to 55 centimeters. The head is slightly distinct from the neck and features eyes with round pupils, unlike many other vipers. The ground color is light brown, grayish, or olive, characterized by two pale longitudinal stripes (whitish or yellowish) running along the sides of the back, from the head to the tail.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: An 80x40x40 cm terrarium is suitable for a single adult. It is essential to set up a porous, semi-humid substrate such as peat mixed with coconut fiber, kept slightly damp but never soaked. It is recommended to provide numerous low branches, pieces of cork bark, and sturdy fake or live plants (such as Pothos) to recreate the natural vegetative cover of the native habitat.
Lighting and Heating: The thermal gradient must be carefully regulated: 24-26 °C in the cool zone and a hot basking spot at 30-31 °C managed by a shielded heat lamp. At night, the temperature should drop to about 19-21 °C. The use of a UVB neon tube (5.0 T5) turned on for 10-12 hours a day is recommended to support metabolism and maintain stable daily activity rhythms.
Humidity and Hydration: Optimal humidity should be around 55-65%, increasing slightly via controlled misting during the skin-shedding phases. A stable and heavy water bowl must always be placed in the terrarium to allow constant hydration. The water must be changed daily to prevent harmful bacterial proliferation.
Feeding and Supplementation: Being a specialized predator of amphibians, the diet in captivity must reflect this need. If rodents are used, it is necessary to apply the scenting method by rubbing the mouse on amphibians before feeding. Growing specimens should be fed weekly, adults every 10-14 days. Supplement with calcium and multivitamins containing D3 at least once a month.
Compatibility: The species must be housed individually to prevent stress and potential mutual injuries. Being a venomous animal, its housing must take place in a terrarium equipped with safety locks and positioned in a controlled-access room. The keeper must have adequate equipment for safe handling.
Health and Common Diseases: Primary health risks are related to dehydration and shedding problems (dysecdysis) due to inadequate humidity. Respiratory infections are common if terrarium ventilation is insufficient in the presence of high humidity. It is essential to monitor general health and consult a reptile veterinarian for periodic checks of intestinal parasites.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is primarily found in the grasslands, moist savannas, and woodlands of Central and Southwestern Africa, with documented records in Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. It frequents areas characterized by significant seasonal rainfall and abundance of low herbaceous vegetation, often near marshes or the shores of freshwater bodies where amphibians are present in large numbers.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 65 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 65 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 65 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.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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