Eastern Green Mamba Bush Viper

This bush viper is an arboreal, forest-dwelling species from Central and West Africa, notable for its rough, heavily keeled scalation that gives it a distinctly bristly appearance. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from bright green to yellowish or bluish-green with dark mottling.

It belongs to the genus Atheris, a group of small, venomous vipers uniquely adapted to life in trees and shrubs within humid tropical forest.

• Color ranges from bright green to olive, yellow-green, or bluish-green
• Irregular dark crossbands or mottling along the body
• Extremely rough, strongly keeled scales giving a spiny texture
• Broad, triangular head distinct from the neck
• Vertically elliptical pupils
• Prehensile tail adapted for climbing
• Distinguished from other Atheris species by scale texture and regional range

Found in lowland and mid-elevation tropical rainforest, forest edges, and dense vegetation near rivers and swamps across Central and West Africa. Primarily arboreal, favoring shrubs, low trees, and vine tangles.

Nocturnal and largely arboreal, moving slowly through vegetation. Feeds on frogs, lizards, small mammals, and birds. Ambushes prey from a coiled position among branches. Gives birth to live young (viviparous), typically in small litters.