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We bought a what the seller said was a bush viper and appeares to be a Atheris chloroechis and we are getting several diff, info on how this snake should be kept. One method told to us and reading in Snakes Enc. said to keep fairly warm in the lower 80ties and some humidity. The other method that we were told was real humid and moss with ventilation. What would you all suggest as far as humidity ( damp, having damp enough to have condensation , less damp ) and what about the moss. Would you think that spagnum would be okay and then would you suggest organic? Or how about a product picked up at Wally-World called green moss and the package says all natural and is used for decorate soil cover moss from a company called Schultz. Also we wre wondering about light? If this species prefers non-direct light or dim light or a situation of darkness. We are asking these questions because of the uncertainess of diff. info in some of the books.

M Chambers

>>We bought a what the seller said was a bush viper and appeares to be a Atheris chloroechis and we are getting several diff, info on how this snake should be kept. One method told to us and reading in Snakes Enc. said to keep fairly warm in the lower 80ties and some humidity. The other method that we were told was real humid and moss with ventilation. What would you all suggest as far as humidity ( damp, having damp enough to have condensation , less damp ) and what about the moss. Would you think that spagnum would be okay and then would you suggest organic? Or how about a product picked up at Wally-World called green moss and the package says all natural and is used for decorate soil cover moss from a company called Schultz. Also we wre wondering about light? If this species prefers non-direct light or dim light or a situation of darkness. We are asking these questions because of the uncertainess of diff. info in some of the books.
>>
>>M Chambers

I wouldn't make the enclosure have enough humidity to create condensation, as even humid loving snakes will sometimes suffer water blisters if exposed to too much moisture. I've kept A. chlorechis and A. squamigera successfully under the following circumstances: day time temp of around 85, nighttime drop nearing 80; substrate of that same War-Mart green moss you spoke of or of any humidity-holding substance, with numerous branches for climbing; I never kept them in incredibly large enclosures as they tend to hang about in one general area most of the time; the snakes were sprayed daily as they'd seem to "drink" most readily in this manner. When I sprayed them I would just lightly spray their bodies and the branches around them, nothing too very heavy, but enough to create accessible droplets. A water bowl should also be provided so that the snake has access to water at any time it wishes. They are nocturnal snakes, so during the day I never kept any direct light on them. The only light they received is what filtered in through the window (which is always uncovered to allow for some natural cycling to happen), and from the lights on other animals' enclosures. They would always stay in the same spot during the day, and the only movement I would ever see would be at night. Not to a question you didn't ask but I want to answer it anyway, my snakes fed either off of hemos (if they would take f/t) or I would just place a large live fuzzy mouse in the enclosure at night and they would take it from there. That being said...I've more than once had an arboreal viper take a swing at my hand rather than the mouse dangling on the end of the hemos, and they have incredible strike ranges. I used a pair of 18" hemos, and even at that, a 1' or 1.5' Atheris can come a little too close for comfort. Always be on your guard working around them, as they can be quite deceiving. Anyway, these are the methods that have worked in the past for me. That being said, I don't make a habit of keeping arboreal viperids (mostly elapids here), so there are hopefully others on this forum that will respond as well.
-Chance

Hello,
Atheris chloroechis should be kept similar to A.squamigera. I would keep them around 82 to 85 max for a day time temp with a drop down to around 75 at night. These snakes, contrary to popular thinking do not exsist in awfully hot areas. Although I belive chloroechis is typicly found in lower elevations then most from the Tribe of Atheris, they still arent what you would call a savannh sp.

As for humidity and substrate, I sugest either cypress mulch, potting soil or just good ol fashioned newspaper as a substrate and I would mist them everyother day in not every 2 days. Atheris, unlike many other arboreal vipers/pitvipers are not as humidity dependant and misting them too frequently can lead to alot of problems. Of cource, as with all sp of snake, proper ventilation should be provided as well as a good hide box. These guys as well as squams spend alot of time on the ground and atleast a few hrs out of everyday in their hides. They arent like eyelash vipers who will stay perched all day.

Regarding lighting, although a lamp may not be needed I would try to keep them in a room were natural sunlight peaked in during the day. If your situation requires a heat lamp to keep the temps up then I would go with a red or night time heat lamp for nocturnal herps. Still though, they need a day/night cycle like everything else so dont just keep them in the dark. They arent like Fea's Viper or Bushmasters who come from areas that have virtualy no light shining through. The can be found on the fringes of forest and even in feilds if memory serves, basking. Definately give them some sort of light source.

Another note on substrate. Although I think moss will work fine it may keep too much humidity in so I would play around with it and find a nice medium were it is not too moist at all. Since these guys hang out on the ground you dont want them basicly sitting in warter all day. Remeber, they are not rain forest sp.

Well, I hope this helps you out some. Good luck! They are awesome snakes to work with and easy keeps. If you are in search for further info from one of the experts of the sp I sugest going to the Viperade forum and post a question for Derek Morgan akak Squamiger. He has bred these guys several years in a row and know just as much about keeping them as anybody.

Have fun and enjoy!!

Adios,
J