Gaboon viper

The Gaboon viper is one of the most distinctive snakes in the world!

Like other vipers, the Gaboon viper has powerful muscles, rough scales, and a triangular head. The largest individuals can have heads that measure nearly 15 cm across at their widest point. These vipers exhibit a combination of light and dark brown, pink, and purple, arranged in a pattern of diamonds and stripes along their backs.

Their symmetrical, leaf-like pattern and triangular head provide excellent camouflage, allowing them to blend into the rainforest floor by mimicking fallen leaves.

Gaboon vipers are passive hunters, lying in wait to strike at any small creatures that pass by. They rarely bite humans and will only strike if they feel threatened and cannot escape.