Green Bush Viper
Atheris squamigera
A small, arboreal African viper with rough spiny scales and a body color that varies from green to yellow or blue-green.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.8 m (20-31 in)
- Range
- Central and West African rainforests
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Overview
The Green Bush Viper is a widespread member of the genus Atheris, found throughout the humid forests of Central and West Africa. It is known for its rough, keeled scales that give it a bristly, almost dragon-like texture, and its highly variable coloration.
As an arboreal ambush predator, it spends most of its life coiled in vegetation, relying on camouflage and patience to capture prey.
How to identify it
- Base color varies widely: green, yellow-green, olive, or bluish
- Irregular darker blotches or crossbands
- Strongly keeled, rough-textured scales
- Triangular head clearly set off from a slender neck
- Vertical pupils typical of vipers
- Prehensile tail for gripping branches
- Separated from similar bush vipers mainly by range and subtle scale count differences
Habitat & range
Occupies lowland tropical rainforest, secondary growth, and forest-edge shrubs across its Central and West African range, often near water sources. Almost exclusively arboreal.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal, sedentary, and well-camouflaged. Hunts by ambush, feeding on frogs, small lizards, and occasionally small mammals or birds. Viviparous reproduction with modest litter sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Green Bush Viper dangerous?
It is venomous and should be treated with caution, though it is not typically aggressive.
Where is the Green Bush Viper found?
It inhabits rainforests across Central and West Africa.
How can you identify a Green Bush Viper?
Look for rough, spiny scales, a triangular head, and variable green-to-yellow coloration.
Is it arboreal?
Yes, it spends nearly all its time in shrubs and trees rather than on the ground.
Green Bush Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Green Bush Viper.
