The river jack

Whether you know it by the American name of rhinoceros viper or the name of river jack that is commonly heard elsewhere, Bitis nascicornis is a magnificent snake that deserves the utmost respect.

It is easily determined whence came the American name, for this stocky viper has several pairs of moderately to greatly elongated scales on its nose. Although it can swim, the name of river jack seems a bit inaccurate. Rather than being actually a riverine species, the snake is known to be an inhabitant of the forests and rarely of the woodlands of West and Central Africa.

Those in some populations are among the world's most beautiful snakes while others are dull (especially the old adults) and of muddy appearance. Those from the northeastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (often referred to as the Ituri Forest or Ituri Rainforest) are often very brightly colored. This snake has a dangerously potent venom that is primarily haemotoxic but that also contains neurotoxins.

A live-bearing species, female rhino vipers may have from 10 to 36 babies. Normal adult length for this very heavy bodied viper is 25 to 36 inches with the females attaining a larger size than the males.

Despite its lethal potential this snake, popular with hobbyists, remains occasionally available at rather affordable prices.

A subadult "Ituri Forest" rhinoceros viper from above. These neonate rhinoceros vipers, received from the same shipper, were, ostensibly, siblings.

Author, photographer, and columnist Richard Bartlett is one of the most prolific writers on herpetological subjects in the 20th century. With hundreds of books and articles to their credit, Richard and his wife Pat have spent over four decades documenting reptiles both in the field and in captivity. For a list of their current titles, please visit their page in our bookstore.