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Viperidae

Green Bush Viper

Venomous

Atheris chlorechis

Green Bush Viper
Atheris chlorechis, © Justin Philbois
Green Bush ViperGreen Bush ViperGreen Bush ViperGreen Bush ViperGreen Bush Viper

6 photographs of the Green Bush Viper. © Justin Philbois.

The Green Bush Viper (Atheris chlorechis) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 7 countries.

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 Green Bush Viper

Common names: western bush viper, West African leaf viper, more.

Atheris chlorechis is a viper species found only in the forests of West Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. It is the type species of its genus. Like all other vipers, it is a venomous species.

Atheris chlorechis venom can lead to major systemic envenoming, shock, blood loss due to coagulopathy, and renal failure. There is no antivenom.

Description

Adults average 50 cm (20 inches) in total length (body + tail), with a maximum total length of 70 cm (28 in). The tail is relatively long. The body is relatively slender, with 25–36 midbody rows of dorsal scales. These are heavily keeled, with the keels ending in a swelling at the end of each scale.

Adults have a uniform light green ground color, overlaid with a series of faint yellow, roughly paired spots running dorsally along the length of the body and about 2.5 cm (about 1 in) apart. The belly is pale green in color. Newborns are tan-brown in color, but this changes to a yellow-green hue with irregular dark spots within 24 hours. This second color phase has been described as the reverse of that of the adults and is only seen in individuals less than 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length.

Common names

Western bush viper, West African leaf viper, West African tree viper.

Geographic range

Atheris chlorechis is found in West Africa from Sierra Leone through Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana to southern Togo. Records from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon are considered erroneous.

The type locality is listed as "Boutre, Ghana".

Habitat

Found in forests, in dense foliage about 1–2 m (about 3–6 ft) above the ground.

Feeding

Said to feed on rodents, lizards and tree frogs.

Reproduction

Gives birth to 6–9 young in March to April. Newborns are 131–151 mm (about 5–6 inches) in total length.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Green Bush Viper

Is the Green Bush Viper venomous?
Yes. The Green Bush Viper (Atheris chlorechis) 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 Green Bush Viper poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Green Bush Viper is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Green 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.
Where does the Green Bush Viper live?
The Green Bush Viper has verified records in 7 countries, including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Green Bush Viper eat?
Said to feed on rodents, lizards and tree frogs.
Why is it called the Green Bush Viper?
Western bush viper, West African leaf viper, West African tree viper.

If you are bitten by the Green 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.

Do

  • 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.

Where it is found

GhanaCôte d’IvoireLiberiaGuineaSierra LeoneNigeriaTogo

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 chlorechis

Keep learning

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