Bitis nasicornis yearling

Hey guys I was able to get my first bitis and have a few basic questions mostly pertaining to feeding. She is about 10" and nice and round. Her enclosure varies between 73f-78f depending on the time if the day. Her humidity is about 60*. She has eaten twice for me so far and I'm curious how often I should feed her? I've read from two to three times a week or even just once. Also notice when she has prey in her enclosure she sniffles and head bobs. Is this normal behavior to attract prey, rhino version of caudal luring? Thanks for your time.

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Hi Jon,

congrats, very nice specimen. However, of all the Bitis out there, nasicornis are the hardest to keep, in my opinion. We've had different ones from different localities for many years. It is best to keep them in a relatively dark place, in a cosy enclosure with many opportunities to hide because they are easily stressed out. Temp should be around 25°C during the day and 20°C during the night. Moreover, it is a myth that they like it moist ("River Jack") in captivity. Keep them on the dry side; spray a bit water once or twice a week but avoid wetting the animal. Do not have a water bowl in the enclosure, rather, give some water from a pipette from time to time. These animals are exquisitely sensitive to infection of the mouth, eyes and the channel that connects them which often results in the "swelling" of one or both eyes and all too often in the demise of the animal.

Feed the babies once a week, the adults every 2-3 weeks. Adults defecate only approx. 4-times a year. Head bobing is a defense posture and a sign of stress.

If you got further questions, ask me. Good luck.

Klaus

beautiful

Thanks klaus! That's really cold 68-75*f. I took the water bowl out. I think she's going to shed soon. Got a portable ac unit for her room so she stays on the cool side. Still worries me when I see the temp in her enclosure saying 69.8*f! Hope all goes well with her. Thanks again.

Nice and beautiful adder.I think it's the most amazing viper in the world.

Klaus Roemer wrote:: Hi Jon,

congrats, very nice specimen. However, of all the Bitis out there, nasicornis are the hardest to keep, in my opinion. We've had different ones from different localities for many years. It is best to keep them in a relatively dark place, in a cosy enclosure with many opportunities to hide because they are easily stressed out. Temp should be around 25°C during the day and 20°C during the night. Moreover, it is a myth that they like it moist ("River Jack") in captivity. Keep them on the dry side; spray a bit water once or twice a week but avoid wetting the animal. Do not have a water bowl in the enclosure, rather, give some water from a pipette from time to time. These animals are exquisitely sensitive to infection of the mouth, eyes and the channel that connects them which often results in the "swelling" of one or both eyes and all too often in the demise of the animal.

Feed the babies once a week, the adults every 2-3 weeks. Adults defecate only approx. 4-times a year. Head bobing is a defense posture and a sign of stress.

If you got further questions, ask me. Good luck.

Klaus

Yes I have read it should be keep in moist setting and saw some keeper used moss as substrate,your opinion is new for me,but I think you are reasonable because animals in a terrarium is unlike in nature.

Could the gaboon adder tolerate higher temperature and drier setting? It seems to appear on the edge of prairie too.

So she shed today. No problems with her shedding. Came off in one piece. She's really looking good now. She's still not feeding from tongs. I don't like feeding live but that's all she has eaten on her own. Any tips to get her to take frozen thawed from tongs besides just keep trying?

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