Description:

The branch mimic viper (Insidius nasiviminas) is an arboreal bush viper species native to the African continent. They have many color morphs, which depend on the tree they inhabit. These colors can range from light greenish-gray to brown, green, and others. They are approximately 1.6 to 1.8 meters long but can reach up to 2 meters. They have a horn on their nose, 5 to 6 centimeters from the base to the tip. They have a triangular-shaped head similar to most vipers, holding a pair of 5-centimeter-long fangs and venom glands. They have modified scales on the tip of their nose that mimic the end of a twig. This trait helps the snake to blend into the trees it inhabits, hiding from both predators and prey. 

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 and bats, but they will eat rodents and arboreal primates if birds are not available. These vipers are ambush predators, lying in wait on trees for camouflage. Vipers will wrap their whole body around a tree branch, stick their 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 swallow its prey, using its jaw to move the prey down its throat. Adult vipers eat about once a week.

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, as it provides them with additional camouflage to catch prey. Unlike their ancestors, they are very prone to biting humans. When threatened, they hiss and strike at the threat. 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 zone. They are unlikely to inject venom, as it is energetically expensive to make.

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.