Puff Adder — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Puff Adder get?

An adult Puff Adder typically measures 0.9–1.4 m.

Husbandry requirements

Puff Adder — origin: A very wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa (savannahs, grasslands and semi-arid zones, from the southern Sahara down to South Africa), with populations in southern Morocco and the south-west of the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of Africa's most widespread snakes..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min18 °C

Cool side22–25 °C

Warm side28–32 °C

Basking spot32–35 °C

A heliothermic species that thermoregulates by basking: offer a real thermal gradient with a localised hot spot (secured, guarded spot/mat) and a cool side. A night-time drop down to ~18 °C is beneficial. Avoid permanent overheating.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 50 cm

A robust terrestrial terrarium, fully enclosed and LOCKABLE (venomous species). Secure access via a sliding front opening with a padlock, never a simple lid. Handling/trap boxes are mandatory.

A terrestrial, heavy-bodied and inactive snake: favour floor area over height. Provide several heavy, stable hides and a 'venomous snake' warning sign on the terrarium. Safety (no possible escape, a known antivenom/hospital emergency protocol) takes priority over everything else.

Humidity

40–60 %

A generally dry, savannah-type environment, with a slightly more humid area/hide to aid shedding. Excessively high, stagnant humidity promotes dermatitis (scale rot).

Substrate

Aspen shavingsNon-clumping soil/sand mixCypress bark / mulchAbsorbent paper (quarantine)

A dry, dust-free substrate, deep enough to let the snake partly bury itself and hide. Keep it clean and dry to prevent skin infections.

UVB

Optional

Not essential (a nocturnal/crepuscular species), but low UVB (index 1-3, filtered T5 type) is beneficial for well-being and metabolism. Provide shaded areas.

Water source

Always available

A clean, stable water bowl, available at all times and renewed regularly; change it carefully using tools.

Origin

Viperidae

A very wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa (savannahs, grasslands and semi-arid zones, from the southern Sahara down to South Africa), with populations in southern Morocco and the south-west of the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of Africa's most widespread snakes.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore — Rodents (the staple prey in captivity), sometimes birds; in the wild also amphibians

An ambush predator that relies on its invisibility. Feed with appropriately sized dead/thawed prey, using long tongs and never by hand. A species very prone to obesity: ration meals (adults roughly every 1 to 3 weeks depending on body condition).

Breeding

Viviparous

An extremely prolific species; record litters of more than 150 neonates have been reported. Neonates are already fully venomous and dangerous from birth: handle them with the same precautions as adults.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (poor ventilation, temperatures too low or unsuitable humidity)
Stomatitis / 'mouth rot' (oral infection)
Obesity from overfeeding (a very prone species, massive body)
Dermatitis and 'scale rot' linked to a humid/dirty substrate
Internal and external parasites, very common in stressed wild-caught (imported) animals

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes and 1 named combos for Puff Adder.

Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
Hypomelanistic pastelDom
Melanistic / Black hypermelanisticRec

Named combos — 1 documented combined morphs

Hybino (Hypo Albino)

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Puff Adder × Puff Adder

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the puff adder.

How big does an adult Puff Adder get?▾

An adult Puff Adder typically measures 0.9–1.4 m (a very massive, stocky body ('sausage-like' silhouette), broad triangular head. males have a longer tail. exceptional individuals (particularly in east africa) can exceed 170-190 cm and become extremely heavy.).

What temperature and humidity does a Puff Adder need?▾

A gradient of roughly 22–25 °C on the cool side to 28–32 °C on the warm side, with a basking spot of 32–35 °C. Humidity 40–60 %.

What does a Puff Adder eat?▾

Carnivore: Rodents (the staple prey in captivity), sometimes birds; in the wild also amphibians.

Is the Puff Adder a good reptile for beginners?▾

Expert level. A slow, placid species at rest, which relies above all on its camouflage and often stays motionless. BUT it strikes sideways with lightning speed when it feels threatened and emits a loud, powerful hiss ('puff') as a warning. It does not always warn before biting. To be handled exclusively with remote tools (hooks, tubes, trap box) by a keeper trained in venomous species. Plan ahead: a lifespan of 10–15 yrs.

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