Description:

The branch mimic viper (Insidius nasiviminas) is an arboreal viper species native to the African continent. They are light brown with two dark brown stripes running along the sides of the body. They have smooth yellowish-cream scales on the underbelly. They are approximately 1.6 to 1.8 meters but can reach about 2 meters long. They have a horn on their nose about 15 to 18 centimeters from the base to the tip. These vipers are thin compared to their ancestors (the Bitis genus), which was likely evolved to make them less cumbersome in the trees. They have a triangular-shaped head similar to most vipers, holding a pair of 5 centimeter-long fangs and venom glands.

Distribution and Habitat

Branch mimic vipers are found mainly in wooded savanna, monsoon forest, and woodland habitats.

Diet and Hunting:

Branch mimic vipers are specialized in eating birds, but they will eat rodents and arboreal primates if birds are not available. These vipers are ambush predators, using trees to camouflage. Vipers will wrap their whole body around a tree branch, stick its head out, and pretend to be a branch. It will remain perfectly still until a bird or mammal approaches it. Once the animal comes within range, the viper will bite the prey and hold it in place. The snake will pump hemotoxins and neurotoxins into the body to kill it quickly. Once the prey is dead, the snake will begin to swallow prey, using its jaw to move the prey down its throat. The vipers eat about once a week as an adult.

Behavior:

Branch mimic vipers are mostly crepuscular and nocturnal. During the day, they rest on the tops of trees, absorbing sunlight and heat. They prefer to hunt at night since it gives them additional camouflage to hunt prey. Unlike their ancestors, they are very prone to biting humans. When threatened, they hiss and puff up to make themselves look bigger. If they are not cornered, they will try to slither away from the threat, but if that doesn't work, they will strike at the attacker. Most bites are dry, meaning no venom is injected into the danger. They are unlikely to inject venom due to venom being chemically expensive.

Reproduction:

In the wild, vipers sexually mature at 36 months for females and about 24 months for males. They will breed once a year, mainly during the wet season. Females are viviparous, meaning that they give birth to live young. They give birth to 6 to 24 snakes, with them being about 14-30 centimeters long.