Puff Adder
(Bitis arietans)
Distribution
The Puff Adder is a common species throughout the majority of Africa, with the exception of Rainforest and intense desert areas. There are two subspecies, which are currently recognized, and these are African Puff Adder (
Bitis arietans arietans) and Somali Puff Adder (
Bitis arietans somalica). It is best to spend time with an experienced and licensed keeper of this species prior to keeping them.
Size
At birth they are usually around 15 to 20cm (6 to 8 inches) long. As adults they can reach sizes of up to 2m, although they usually average around 90cm (3ft). Puff adders from Central and Western Africa usually grow larger than specimens from South Africa.
Diet
In the wild the Puff Adder eats small rodents, lizards, toads, ground dwelling birds and has even been recorded eating other snakes. In captivity a diet of appropriately sized rodents is required. Care should be taken not to overfeed this species in captivity as like other members of the
Bitis family they are prone to obesity. The food should always be fed with tongs.
Requirements
- Heat Source: - This can be either reflector (spot) light in green, blue or red, or ceramic bulbs. These should all be guarded and thermostatically controlled.
- Ultra Violet Light Source: - There is a lot of controversy as to whether snakes require UVB light or not, so it is up to the keeper to choose. If it is chosen to use UVB lighting then it should be left on for 10 - 12 hours a day and replaced every six months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. It should also be positioned no more than 30cm away from the basking reptile. This will create a day and nighttime effect as well as give your reptile sufficient levels of UV to allow vitamin D3 synthesis. In the case of Venomous snakes it is useful for seeing where the snake is prior to entering the vivarium.
- Thermostat: - An essential part of every vivarium and is required to control the heat inside the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent any thermal burns from occurring.
- Thermometers: - One should be placed at either end of the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as this is often inaccurate.
- Hides: - These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots, caves etc. all makes excellent hides. Whatever hides you choose for safety reasons these should be easy enough to move with hooks and tongs for ease of cleaning.
- Housing - This should consist of a dark wooden Vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation or a vision cage. Hatchlings can be kept in a smaller container inside their future Vivarium. The enclosure should remain locked at all times. An enclosure measuring 120cm long by 60cm wide by 60cm high (4ft x 2ft x 2ft) is adequate for an adult Puff Adder. If you are not intending to breed this species then keep them separate as they are livebearers.
Temperature
A basking area of 32°C (89.6F) should be provided, a background temperature which drops to around 24°C (75.2F) at the cooler end, this will facilitate thermo-regulation. At night the temperature may be allowed to drop to around 22°C (71.6F).
Humidity and water
This species only requires low to moderate humidity, a water bowl should be provided at all times.
Substrate
Chip shop paper or newspaper is the safest substrates to use. Dust free (not pine or cedar) Bark Mulch can also be used to good effect, ensure that the snake cannot ingest any whilst feeding.
N.B.- To keep this species in the UK a Dangerous Wild Animals License is required. For more information on the DWA contact your local Environmental Health Officer who will be based at your local council.
NB photographs can be found at http://members.tripod.com/~bitis666/
The featured photograph and distribution map were taken with permission from http://www.ultimatefieldguide.com/puff_adder_-_bitis_arietans.htm
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Bitis_SP_arietans']
www.petsnakes.co.uk
www.venombyte.com
Local Environmental Health Officer at The Council
http://members.tripod.com/~bitis666/ - An excellent Website on Puff Adders.
http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_puff-adder.html some statistics
http://www.ultimatefieldguide.com/puff_adder_-_bitis_arietans.htm
True Vipers, Mallow, D, Ludwig, D & Nilson, G (Krieger 2003) ISBN 0894648772
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