Bitis nasicornis, also known as the rhinoceros viper, is a strikingly colored viper species known for its unique nasal “horns”. Its head is narrow, flat, and triangular, and is relatively small compared to the rest of its body. The color pattern of this species consists of 15-18 blue or blue-green rectangular markings, each with a lemon-yellow line down the center. These markings are enclosed within irregular, black, rhombic blotches. The flanks of the snake are adorned with a series of dark red triangles bordered with green or blue.

Scientific Name: Bitis nasicornis
Distribution: West-Central Africa
Average Size: 0.85 m (2.8 ft)
Lifespan: 20 years or more
Difficulty: Advanced

Housing
Bitis nasicornis can be a challenging species for keepers to maintain, especially after 2 years of age. However, with proper care and husbandry, they can live up to 10 years or more. It is important to note that success with this species often involves trial and error, as well as learning from the experiences of others. The key factors for successful housing are caging, temperature, and humidity.

Neonates – 12 months of age: At this age, Bitis nasicornis may seem easy to care for, but this is often a short-lived illusion. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and stress, and usually feed well. They can be housed in a standard rack system measuring 0.25 x 0.45 x 0.15 meters (0.8 x 1.5 x 0.5 ft).

12 months – 2 years of age: This is where things start to get challenging, and many snakes may die for unknown reasons. At this point, it is recommended to move the snakes into custom rack systems measuring 0.6 x 1 x 0.2 meters (2 x 3.3 x 0.65 ft). These racks should be kept dark, cool, and with minimal interaction to reduce stress.

2 years – 5+ years of age: At this stage, Bitis nasicornis are very sensitive and do not tolerate even minimal stress. They prefer tight, dark, and dry enclosures. Each snake should be housed in a custom enclosure measuring 1.2 x 0.6 x 0.6 meters (4 x 2 x 2 ft), with plenty of Pothos vines and dense logs for hiding. During breeding season (September – November in Florida, USA), a simple system of 0.15 meters (ft) PVC pipes can be used to connect enclosures and allow access between male and female cages. It was previously believed that male-male combat was necessary for successful breeding, but this is no longer the case. These cages should be kept cool, dark, and with minimal interaction, only checking on the snakes twice a day for status updates, spot cleaning, and water changes.

Cover Spot
Bitis nasicornis does not require traditional hide boxes. Instead, they prefer to burrow into deep substrate, back up against wood or logs, or hide within dense plantings of Pothos vines.

Substrate
Neonates – 12 months of age: Dry cypress mulch at a depth of 0.07 – 0.1 meters (0.2-0.3 ft) is recommended.

12 months – 2 years of age: A fast-draining substrate of 0.1-0.15 meters (0.3-0.5 ft) of organic potting soil/sand at a 50/50 ratio, topped with a loose mix of peat moss and perlite, and large-chunk hardwood mulch is recommended. Pothos vines can be allowed to grow and spread within these enclosures.

2 years – 5+ years of age: The recommended substrate is a base layer of chicken-egg sized rocks, pea-gravel, a window-screen barrier, 0.02 meters (0.06 ft) of course sand, 0.1-0.15 meters (0.3-0.5 ft) of organic pot