Bitis gabonica

Spacious, sturdy and TOTALLY secure terrestrial terrarium (venomous species)

A sedentary but massive species: favour floor area over height. Lockable closures mandatory, a hatch/airlock system and a shift box for maintenance without direct contact. Solid hides and a humid zone. Husbandry reserved for trained keepers, with locatable antivenom and an emergency protocol.

A humid tropical-forest atmosphere. Maintain 60-80% with good ventilation to prevent stagnation; humidity peaks are useful during sheds.

A moisture-retaining substrate at a good depth. Avoid any dusty or mouldy substrate. Never feed on loose substrate that could be ingested.

Not strictly necessary (a nocturnal undergrowth species); low UVB lighting (Ferguson zone 1, ~2-4%) remains beneficial if provided with hides allowing avoidance. A regular photoperiod is essential.

A large bowl of clean water at all times, wide enough for the animal to immerse itself; renew frequently.

Lowland tropical rainforests and wooded areas of sub-Saharan Africa (Central and West Africa). A species of the equatorial forest floor.

Carnivore (rodents) — Appropriately sized rats and mice; rabbit possible for very large adults.

A voracious appetite but a slow metabolism: feed sparingly (a single appropriately sized prey item every ~2-4 weeks depending on age, more spaced out in adults). Excess food quickly leads to obesity. Thawed prey preferably, presented with long tongs at a safe distance.

Can produce very large litters (15-60 neonates, exceptionally more). Breeding reserved for specialised facilities: the neonates are fully venomous and dangerous from birth.

• Obesity (overfeeding relative to the slow metabolism)
• Respiratory infections (incorrect thermal/humidity parameters)
• Stomatitis ('mouth rot')
• Difficult shedding / dysecdysis (insufficient humidity)
• Internal and external parasites, especially in wild-caught specimens