Atheris chlorechis is a viper species found only in the forests of West Africa.[1][3][5] No subspecies are currently recognized. It is the type species of its genus.[5][6] It is venomous.[5]
Adults average 50 cm (20 inches) in total length (body + tail), with a maximum total length of 70 cm (28 in). The tail is relatively long. The body is relatively slender, with 25-36 midbody rows of dorsal scales. These are heavily keeled, with the keels ending in a swelling at the end of each scale.[3]
Adults have a uniform light green ground color, overlaid with a series of faint yellow, roughly paired spots running dorsally along the length of the body and about 2.5 cm (about 1 in) apart. The belly is pale green in color.[3] Newborns are tan-brown in color, but this changes to a yellow-green hue with irregular dark spots within 24 hours.[7] This second color phase has been described as the reverse of that of the adults and is only seen in individuals less than 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length.[3][7]
Western bush viper,[3] West African leaf viper,[4] West African tree viper.[8]
Atheris chlorechis is found in West Africa from Sierra Leone through Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana to southern Togo. Records from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon are considered erroneous.[1]
The type locality is listed as "Boutre, Ghana".[2][5]
Found in forests, in dense foliage about 1–2 m (about 3–6 ft) above the ground.[3]
Said to feed on rodents, lizards and tree frogs.[3]
Gives birth to 6–9 young in March to April. Newborns are 131–151 mm (about 5–6 inches) in total length.[7]
Atheris chlorechis is a viper species found only in the forests of West Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. It is the type species of its genus. It is venomous.
