commonly known species found sub africa like largest member genus world heaviest longest inches length highest venom yield snake subspecies currently recognized including nominate subspecies described description adults average feet total length body tail maximum total length specimen collected sexes distinguished length teeth relation total length body approximately males females adults especially females heavy stout female following dimensions description average total length maximum total length saying species possibly grow larger acknowledge reports specimens total length claim evidence support large specimen exactly total length caught found weighed stomach large specimens possibly weigh rank world heaviest snake ahead eastern masses known verified head large triangular neck greatly narrowed width head pair horns present raised nostrils tiny larger eyes large set forward surrounded scales scales head scale rows separate reach length millimetres longest snake dorsal scale rows strongly outer rows lateral scales slightly oblique ventral scales number rarely males rarely females paired scales males fewer females anal scale single color pattern consists series pale running center dark yellow edged markings flanks series brown shapes light vertical central bars belly pale irregular brown black head white cream fine dark central line black spots rear corners dark blue black triangle eye iris colour cream yellow white orange common names snake common names include butterfly forest originally given portuguese refers estuary town built narrow strip territory bank arm sea referred northern portion french south equator lying atlantic_ocean geographic range species found guinea nigeria republic northern central african republic kenya eastern eastern northeast south_africa list west_africa type locality given africa habitat usually found nearby woodlands mainly low altitudes high mention maximum altitude according generally found environments parallel occupied close relative normally found open country species found secondary plantations agricultural land bushes found forests nearby reclaimed forest areas plantations west_africa coffee plantations found forests occur areas high rainfall forested east country general found swamps moving waters commonly found agricultural areas near forests roads night behavior primarily nocturnal reputation slow moving usually hunt ambush spending long periods waiting suitable prey happen hand known hunt actively hours night regularly killed stables open area forest meters away sign hunting rats grassland usually tolerant snakes handled rarely bite unlike bites bad tempered individuals occur sluggish walking motion ventral scales alarmed short distances described capable threatened loudly warning deep steady rhythm slightly head breath despite unlikely strike severely provoked fastest striking snakes world care taken handling numerous descriptions generally nature wrote handled freely non species absolutely recommended lane explained capture specimens touching lightly head pair test reactions anger rarely displayed usually set aside snakes firmly neck hand body supported picked carried box said snakes hardly struggled described species wider range eye movement snakes horizontal plane eye movement maintained head rotated angle head rotated eye tilt depending direction rotation eye looks forward looks connected fixed position axis general eyes flick forth rapid manner asleep eye movement pupils strongly contracted pupils suddenly eye movement resumes animal wakes feeding large heavy body size adults trouble eating prey large fully grown rabbits prey happens strike fast precision angle strike prey hang large letting waiting die behaviour different behaviour species snakes feed variety birds mammals different species including field mice rats rabbits reports unlikely prey items tree brush tailed small royal reproduction peak sexual activity males engage combat starts male chin second male raise head high possible heads level turn push bodies switch positions oblivious continuing fall surface water squeeze tightly scales stand pressure observed strike mouths closed occasionally combatants tire break fight mutual consent resting resuming event settled succeeds pushing head ground raising captivity combat occur times week courtship ends gestation takes months suggests breeding cycle years year breeding cycle possible usually birth late summer produces live young produce actual number offspring rarely exceeds length weigh venom bites species rare extremely nature range limited areas approached bites occur persons accidentally stepping cases guarantee bite bite occur considered medical emergency average bite average sized specimen potentially fatal administered soon possible save victim life affected limb snake venom considered particularly toxic based tests conducted mice mice venom enormous bite produces largest quantities venom snake partially fact unlike african release bite enables larger amounts venom yield probably related body weight opposed interval brown gives venom yield range dried venom range specimens length reported branch state venom injected single bite study marsh reported maximum yield wet venom translated dried venom attached clip angle open jaw specimens length weight yielding mean venom electrical bursts space seconds apart venom study seven times month period remained good health venom remained based sensitive venom estimated venom kill human equivalent venom obtained single marsh wrote average venom yield kill man kilograms branch suggested fatal humans rarity type investigation needed humans bite causes rapid conspicuous swelling intense pain severe shock local symptoms include movements swelling tongue extensive sudden heart damage blood internal bleeding lead local tissue damage require surgical possibly healing slow fatalities recovery period uncommon subspecies taxonomy discovered considerable differences conventionally recognized subspecies described according research subspecies different consequently regard western form separate species
Gaboon viper