| Atheris katangensis | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. katangensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Atheris katangensis Witte, 1953 |
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| Synonyms | |
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Atheris katangensis is a venomous viper species endemic to DR Congo. Found only in a limited area in the east of the country.[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
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Attains a maximum length of only 40 cm, making this the smallest member of the genus Atheris.[2]
The head is flat, triangular, distinct from the neck and covered with small keeled scales. The snout is rounded. Midbody there are 24-31 rows of dorsal scales. The tail is short. Males and females have 45-59 and 38-42 subcaudal scales respectively.[2]
The color pattern consists of a purple-brown or yellow-brown ground color, overlaid with paired dorsolateral lines of a contrasting shade. These lines may break into a zigzag pattern and run from head to tail. The belly is yellowish, as it the tip of the tail.[2]
Shaba bush viper, [2][3] Katanga Mountain bush viper,[4] Upemba bush viper, Katanga bush viper, [6] Katanga tree viper.[7]
Restricted to Upemba National Park, Shaba Province in eastern DR Congo. The type locality given is "Mubale-Munte (région du confluent), sous-affluent st de la rive droite de la Lufira [alt. 1480], Park National de l'Upemba."[1]
Gallery forest along rivers at altitudes between 1200 and 1500 meters.[3]