Forest Night Adder
Causus lichtensteinii
A small, forest-dwelling night adder of Central and West Africa, adapted to a life among leaf litter in dense rainforest.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 0.3-0.5 m (1-1.6 ft)
- Range
- Central and West African rainforests
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Overview
The Forest Night Adder is a diminutive viper inhabiting the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa. Its cryptic brown coloration allows it to blend seamlessly into the forest floor's leaf litter.
Like its night adder relatives, it feeds primarily on amphibians and possesses comparatively mild venom.
How to identify it
- Brown to reddish-brown body with faint darker markings
- Rounded head, less triangular than typical vipers
- Round pupils
- Smooth to slightly keeled scales
- Smaller and more uniformly colored than the Rhombic Night Adder
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland tropical rainforest floor and leaf litter in Central and West Africa, often near streams.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal, feeding almost exclusively on frogs and toads found in forest leaf litter. Lays eggs. Secretive and rarely encountered due to its forest floor habits.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Forest Night Adder live?
It inhabits rainforest floors of Central and West Africa, often near streams.
Is it dangerous to humans?
Its venom is mild, and it is not considered a significant threat.
What does it eat?
It feeds almost exclusively on frogs and toads.
Why is it rarely seen?
It is secretive and well camouflaged within forest leaf litter.
Forest Night Adder guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Forest Night Adder.
