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Definition of west african gaboon viper
west african gaboon viper
Plural:West African Gaboon vipers
• noun
1
A large, highly venomous viper species (Bitis rhinoceros) native to the rainforests and woodlands of West Africa, distinguished by its exceptionally stout body, elaborate geometric camouflage pattern, nasal horns, and possessing the longest fangs of any venomous snake.
Example
"Relying heavily on its intricate camouflage, the West African Gaboon viper remains perfectly motionless among the fallen leaves of the forest floor while waiting to ambush its prey."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with the closely related East African Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica), the West African Gaboon viper (Bitis rhinoceros) is distinguished by a prominent pair of 'horns' on its snout.
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Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of West african gaboon viper. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/west-african-gaboon-viper