Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i will be receiving a few pairs of cb baby jumping vipers soon and i havent found much info on them. i just need some basic captive care notes. thanks everyone

Jumping viper
Bothrops nummifer

Description: It has a stocky body. Its ground color varies from brown to gray and it has dark brown or black dorsal blotches. It has no pattern on its head.

Characteristics: It is chiefly a nocturnal snake. It comes out in the early evening hours to feed on lizards, rodents, and frogs. As the name implies, this species can strike with force as it actually leaves the ground. Its venom is hemotoxic. Humans have died from the bites inflicted by large jumping vipers. They often hide under fallen logs and piles of leaves and are difficult to see.

Habitat: Found in rain forests, on plantations, and on wooded hillsides.

Length: Average 60 centimeters, maximum 120 centimeter.

Distribution: Southern Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador.

Of the several sites that I searched, they all seemed to have the same information... imagine that! So, although I have never kept these snakes, I would guess that they are fairly easy to manage with the same sort of set up one would use for a Rhino viper or Gaboon.

I did happen to notice that Sierra has posted that she keeps Bothrops, and she might be a good person to contact in regard to husbandry issues with these animals as well...

Best of luck with your babies. I bet you are excited... I know I would be.

Tom
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"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

Well what I could find, which you should know before getting any animal....

Bothrops nummifer

avg about 2 feet in length
shredded mulch as a substrate w/ dried leaves or equivalent items to shelter in, along with a regular hide box. With temps at 78-82 degrees F. are adequate w/ a warmer basking area of course.

Hope some of these "basics" help...

Jason

Like I said... keeping the appears to be similar to keeping Rhino Vipers or Gaboons... I don't know if the jumping viper will drink from a water bowl, unlike any Rhino or Gaboon I ever had, but I'd opt for a soak one time per week and a good misting several times per week unless I witnessed the snake drinking on its own.

The only ones I've ever seen were in pictures, and they look kind of short and thick like a gaboon, without the huge head...

I'd like to see pictures of the babies... I bet they're cute as a speckled puppy.

Tom
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"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

Current Bi-nomial is Atropoides nummifer..
can be fairly true to their names as far as disposition and savagery of strike, especially in the evening...often called the poor mans bushmaster....a nickname that is almost deserved as the best of them look exquisite and have similiar dispositions...
Feel free to e-mail me directly with specific questions.
Hope this helps...

>>Current Bi-nomial is Atropoides nummifer..

Thank you for providing me with the correct scientific name. Had I searched more thoroughly, perhaps I'd have discovered my own error.

I looked a few pictures at Coastal Reptiles and they certainly are nice looking snakes for the most part.

Tom
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"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

i dont think keeping them will be a problem i have 3 pairs of gaboons and a few rhinos laying around so i think i will be ok.
they really look kinda of like miniature bushmasters, and ive heard them called the "poor mans bushmaster". hopefully they will satisfy my craving for bushmasters for a while

I figured you'd be right at home keeping these when I read what little bit I could find on them... apparently the gentleman who posted just before you has some information that you might find to be helpful.

I had looked into getting a few pairs of Godman's viper because they are a smaller species of snake, and I might consider Jumping vipers based on future posts by you and others that have them. I am trying to downsize the species I keep in order to make it a little easier on me to maintain the animals... smaller snakes = smaller piles of snake feces

I am also very tired of breeding rats. Even though I despise mice more than any animal (next to snake mites and ticks) on the planet, I don't mind breeding them in massive quantities to feed rattlesnakes and other venomous.

Please keep us updated on the progress you have in keeping these snakes... pictures too, if you have the ability to post them.

Thanks!

>>i dont think keeping them will be a problem i have 3 pairs of gaboons and a few rhinos laying around so i think i will be ok.
>>they really look kinda of like miniature bushmasters, and ive heard them called the "poor mans bushmaster". hopefully they will satisfy my craving for bushmasters for a while
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"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

I currently keep A. nummifer occiduum, though I have imported some A. nummifer mexicanum from Costa RIca as well.

Requirements are pretty simple, although they are a somewhat montane species, so temps in the high 70's/low 80's work. I keep them at the same temps as bushmasters (mid-70s) and feed them a fuzzie/small mouse ever 10-14 days. I mist them ever 2-3 days. They are more forgiving in their requirements than bushmasters. Not really difficult to keep. Their small size makes them manageable and a great little viper.

Matt