In this chapter, I present an exploration of the nuances of the trade in Bitis, a genus of venomous African vipers, using Nicolini’s (2009) ‘zooming-in, zooming-out’ approach. This approach allows me to scrutinize the trade practices within their immediate context and consider their broader network and influences. The Bitis genus, encompassing 18 species according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (2017, p. 214), further categorized into clades of large-bodied Bitis and dwarf Bitis (Barlow et al., 2019), has been a consistent presence in the exotic pet market despite the inherent risks associated with these highly venomous snakes (La Laina et al., 2021; Niiteta, 2022). My study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the global exotic pet trade, a multifaceted issue that has significant implications for wildlife conservation and law. The ensuing descriptions of the Bitis trade draw on two critical theoretical perspectives—‘customary illegality’ and ‘moral economy’. These perspectives not only provide a crucial framework for comprehending the intricacies of the Bitis trade, but also open avenues for examining other wildlife trades.