Puff Adder — Care Sheet & Morphs

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 pastelInc.d
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.

Is the puff adder dangerous, and how should it be handled?▾

Yes, extremely: its cytotoxic venom causes severe tissue necrosis, and it is thought to be responsible for more fatal bites than any other snake in Africa, owing to its wide distribution and excellent camouflage. Slow and placid at rest, it nevertheless strikes sideways with lightning speed and does not always give warning before biting. This is not a beginner's species: it must be handled exclusively with remote tools (hooks, tubes, a trap box) by a keeper trained in venomous species.

What kind of secure terrarium does it need?▾

A sturdy terrestrial terrarium of at least 120 x 60 x 50 cm, fully enclosed and LOCKABLE, with secure access via a sliding front opening and a padlock — never a simple lid. This is a heavy-bodied, inactive snake that stays mostly on the ground: provide several heavy, stable hides, a "venomous snake" warning sign, and an emergency protocol (antivenom, hospital) worked out in advance.

What temperatures should it be given?▾

This is a heliothermic species that thermoregulates by basking: provide a real gradient with a localised hot spot of 32-35 °C, a warm side of 28-32 °C and a cool side of 22-25 °C. A beneficial night-time drop to around 18 °C is recommended, while avoiding any permanent overheating and keeping the heat source properly guarded.

What humidity level should be maintained?▾

An overall dry, savannah-type environment, between 40 and 60% humidity, with a slightly more humid area or hide to help with shedding. Excessively high, stagnant humidity encourages dermatitis and scale rot.

What substrate should be used?▾

Aspen shavings, a non-clumping soil/sand mix or cypress bark all work well, with absorbent paper reserved for quarantine. The substrate should be dry, dust-free and deep enough for the snake to partly bury itself and camouflage, and it must be kept clean to prevent skin infections.

What does the puff adder eat, and how can obesity be avoided?▾

It is an ambush predator that in captivity feeds mainly on rodents, occasionally birds, given dead or thawed with long tongs, never by hand. The species is highly prone to obesity because of its massive body: meals should be rationed, with adults fed only about once every 1 to 3 weeks depending on body condition.

How should its water supply be managed?▾

Provide a clean, stable water bowl, available at all times and refreshed regularly. Water changes should always be done carefully with tools, never bare-handed.

Does it need UVB lighting?▾

It is not essential for this nocturnal and crepuscular species, but low-level UVB (index 1-3, filtered T5 type) is beneficial for well-being and metabolism. Always provide shaded areas.

How does it reproduce, and are the newborns dangerous?▾

It is viviparous and extremely prolific: litters number 20 to 80 neonates, with records of more than 150 reported. Crucially, the neonates are already fully venomous and dangerous from birth, and must be handled with the same precautions as adults.

How big does it grow, and are there larger forms?▾

It typically measures 90 to 140 cm, with a very massive, stocky body ("sausage-like" silhouette) and a broad, triangular head. Some exceptional individuals, particularly in East Africa or the Somali form, can exceed 170-190 cm and become extremely heavy.

How can you recognise a puff adder?▾

It is recognised by its chevron-shaped dorsal markings (stacked "<" shapes), its large triangular head and its rough, keeled scales. When threatened, it puffs up its body and lets out a loud, powerful hiss — the "puff" that gives it its English name — as a warning.

What health problems should be watched for?▾

The most common are respiratory infections (poor ventilation, temperatures too low or unsuitable humidity), stomatitis ("mouth rot"), obesity from overfeeding, dermatitis and scale rot on damp or dirty substrate, and internal and external parasites, which are very common in stressed wild-caught specimens.

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