Gaboon viper, highly venomous but docile viper native to Central Africa and closely related to the puff adder. The snake has a stocky body and its head is twice as wide as its neck. A brilliant geometric pattern of yellow, blue, pale purple and brown over its body provides a highly effective camouflage. The Gaboon viper has enlarged, horn-like scales between its nostrils. Length: up to 2m. Family Viperidae; species Bitis gabonica.