🐍 The African Bush Viper (Atheris squamigera) is a venomous, arboreal specialist from the rainforests of West and Central Africa, defined by its remarkable adaptations. Its most notable feature is its strongly keeled scales, which create a bristly texture that masterfully breaks up its body outline for camouflage.⁠ ⁠ This species exhibits extreme color polymorphism, with individuals appearing in a spectrum of green, yellow, orange, or black, allowing them to vanish into diverse microhabitats. As a nocturnal ambush predator, its vertical pupils provide superb low-light vision. Unlike pit vipers, it lacks heat-sensing pits, relying instead on sight and chemoreception to locate prey.⁠ ⁠ A strong, prehensile tail acts as a secure anchor in the trees as it waits patiently for small mammals or frogs. Its potent venom is primarily hemotoxic, containing powerful procoagulants that disrupt blood clotting. While medically significant, its reclusive nature means human encounters are rare. These ...