Mtunzini Fun Fact: Be on the look out for these bad boys… The Gaboon viper is a viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like all vipers, it is venomous. It is the largest member of the genus Bitis, and it has the longest fangs of any snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the second-highest venom yield of any snake after the king cobra. Because of their large, heavy body size, the adults have no trouble eating prey as large as fully grown rabbits. When prey happens by, they strike with very fast precision from any angle. Once they strike their prey, they hang on to it with their large fangs rather than letting it go and waiting for it to die. This behavior is very different from that of other species of vipers. These snakes feed on a variety of birds and mammals, such as doves, guineafowl, and many different species of rodents, including field mice and rats, as well as hares and rabbits. More unlikely prey items, such as tree monkeys, the brush-tailed porcupine and even the small royal antelope have been reported as prey.t