Is the Cameroon bush viper venomous?

Yes. The Cameroon bush viper (Atheris broadleyi) is venomous and belongs to the Viperidae family (viper). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Cameroon bush viper poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cameroon bush viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Viperidae

Cameroon bush viper

Venomous

Atheris broadleyi

The Cameroon bush viper (Atheris broadleyi) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Viperidae
Danger: high

About the Cameroon bush viper

Atheris broadleyi, or Broadley's bush viper, is an arboreal species of viper found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, and (possibly) Nigeria. The species gets its name in honour of the late Donald G. Broadley, a famous African herpetologist. As with all vipers, A. broadleyi is venomous.

Description

Atheris broadleyi is a medium-sized, rough scaled viper with varying colours and patterns. It has been thought of as a colour morph of Atheris squamigera on multiple occasions and is very similar in appearance.

The venom from Broadley's bush vipers is mainly hemotoxic.

Reproduction

Atheris broadleyi is ovoviviparous.

Distribution

Atheris broadleyi is widely distributed in Cameroon, and its range extends into the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Its presence in Nigeria requires confirmation. Records from Gabon are considered erraneous.

The type locality of Atheris broadleyi is in the vicinity of Lipondji village, East Province, Cameroon.

Behaviour

Atheris broadleyi is most often nocturnal, but has been known to bask in the sun. Similarly, they are most often arboreal, but have been known to hunt near and on the ground.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Cameroon bush viper

Is the Cameroon bush viper venomous?: Yes. The Cameroon bush viper (Atheris broadleyi) is venomous and belongs to the Viperidae family (viper). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Cameroon bush viper poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cameroon bush viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Cameroon bush viper dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

If you are bitten by the Cameroon bush viper

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

More Viperidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Viperidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Atheris
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Atheris broadleyi

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.