Red Flame Bush Viper

Red Flame Bush Viper (Atheris ceratophora)

Striking, venomous, and vividly colored, the Red Flame Bush Viper is a true jewel of the African rainforest. Known for its intense red, orange, and golden hues, this arboreal viper is small but visually dramatic, with keeled scales that give it a rough, fiery texture—hence the “Flame” in its name. Its bold coloration makes it one of the most visually stunning vipers in captivity and the wild.

Highly secretive and arboreal, Red Flame Bush Vipers are primarily nocturnal and prefer densely vegetated environments. They are not a species for casual handling; their venom is potent, and their care requires specialized expertise in temperature, humidity, and enclosure design.

Highlights

• Vibrant red, orange, and golden coloration with keeled scales
• Small, arboreal, and nocturnal rainforest viper
• Native to Central African rainforests
• Highly specialized and venomous species

Care & Responsibility Notes
This species is for advanced, professional keepers only. Red Flame Bush Vipers require secure, vertically oriented enclosures with high humidity, precise temperature gradients, and live or pre-killed prey. Handling is extremely limited due to venomous potential, and proper safety protocols are mandatory.

Rare, fiery, and intensely beautiful—the Red Flame Bush Viper is a showpiece species that demands respect, precision, and expert care.