Bitis worthingtoni
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Bitis worthingtoni |
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Bitis worthingtoni Parker, 1932 |
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Common names: Kenya horned viper.[2][3][4]
Bitis worthingtoni is a venomous viper species found only in the high central Rift Valley of Kenya. No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
Contents |
[edit] Description
Grows to a length of 20-40 cm with a maximum of 50 cm.[3][2]
[edit] Geographic range
Restricted to Kenya's high central Rift Valley at altitudes over 1,500 m. The type locality given is the "shore of Lake Naivasha" [Kenya].[2][1]
[edit] Conservation status
Currently, this species is not be listed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species or on any of the CITES Appendices, but in 2004 a proposal was submitted by Kenya to have it listed on CITES Appendix II. The actual status of the species is unknown, but it is reasoned that the Kenyan proposal is justified due to the species' restricted geographic range, habitat loss, demand by reptile collectors and the existence of illegal trade.[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] Cited references
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- ^ a b Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ^ Species Bitis worthingtoni at the Species2000 Database
- ^ Bitis worthingtoni (TSN 634961). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 27 July 2006.
- ^ CoP13 at Species Survival Network. Accessed 8 October 2006.