Rough-Scaled Bush Viper

Rough-Scaled Bush Viper (Atheris hispida) is a type of poisonous viper that is unique to Central Africa. It is renowned for having dorsal scales that are very keeled and have a bristly appearance. Common names for this snake include hairy bush viper, spiny bush viper, and others. Its peculiar yet lovely outward-pointing, keeled scales, which give it a startlingly dragon-like appearance, are what make it special. These specific snakes are vividly colored, like other vipers, and have flat, broad heads, short snouts, and huge, protruding eyes.

Bright greens, yellows, oranges, browns, and greys are all present in this snake's coloring. It mainly inhabits hot, humid rainforests in Western and Central Africa in countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana. There are a few subspecies, all of which share characteristics including size, color, and region of distribution. The bush viper's hemotoxic venom is highly potent, despite the fact that it doesn't attack people very often. Only a few isolated human deaths have been contributed to the species.