Currently, there are over 20 recognized families of snakes, which include around 500 genera and approximately 3,400 to 3,550 species. Not only is there a diversity in the number of species, but snakes also exhibit a wide range of reproductive forms, categorized into three types: live-bearing snakes, egg-laying snakes, and ovoviviparous snakes.
Among these, egg-laying snakes make up the majority (70%), followed by live-bearing species such as sea snakes, vipers, water snakes, bushmasters, Gaboon vipers, green pit vipers, and white-lipped pit vipers. Like many other species of pit vipers, the Gaboon viper is also a live-bearing species.
The Gaboon viper is a highly venomous snake with the longest fangs in the world, measuring 5 cm. Its large fangs enable it to deliver the highest amounts of venom compared to any other venomous snake species. Additionally, it is the heaviest venomous snake in Africa, averaging between 7 to 10 kg, with a maximum weight of up to 20 kg.
Like many other species of pit vipers, the Gaboon viper is also a live-bearing species.
However, they primarily inhabit the rainforests of Sub-Saharan Africa, making encounters with humans rare. Furthermore, this species is nocturnal, moves very slowly, and remains calm (rarely biting people).
Female Gaboon vipers will carry their young for about 7 months, with each litter containing up to 30 offspring. The newborn snakes are covered by a thin membrane at birth and can measure up to 30 cm long.
