Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

The Gaboon Viper has a very large, thick body with distinctive markings and a leaf-shaped head.
Largest of the true vipers
He is said to be a "loopier" or "sidewinder," because he throw loops of his body forward in a lateral fashion.

Gaboon Viper

Scientific Name:	Bitis gabonica
Classification:	Kingdom: Reptilia Class: Serpentes Family: Viperadae
Status:	Not listed.
Range:	The equatorial belt of Africa
Habitat:	Floor of the rainforest and forest fringes
Diet:	Carnivorous
Size:	4 - 7 feet
Lifespan:
Location:
Print Fact Sheet	Viper

Special Features:

Although he generally will not attack, when the viper does it is extremely swift and highly toxic.
Their two inch fangs are the longest of any venomous snake.

Social Structure & Behavior:

He is solitary and nocturnal and difficult to awaken during the daytime. When surprised, he remains still, flattening against the sand and making short jabs at the intruder and blowing noisily.

Reproduction:
Sexual maturity for males is 36 inches and females 48 inches. They are live bearers producing up to 30 young at a time. Gestation is 7 months. Offspring measure 12 inches when born.