Bitis heraldica

Bitis heraldica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Bitis
Species: B. heraldica
Binomial name
Bitis heraldica
(Bocage, 1889)
Synonyms
  • Vipera heraldica - Bocage, 1889
  • Bitis peringueyi - Boulenger, 1896
  • Bitis heraldica - Betherncourt-Ferreira, 1898[1]
Common names: Angolan adder.[2][3]

Bitis heraldica is a venomous viper species found only in Angola. Easily distinguished from B. caudalis by its heavily speckled belly and lack of any supraocular horns.[3] No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]

Contents

Description

The maximum recorded length is 405 mm.[3]

Geographic range

The high plateau of central Angola. The type locality given is "sur les bords de la rivière Calae, l'un des affluents de Cunene, entre le 13o et 14o parallèle á l'est de Caconda." [Calai River (tributary of the Kunene), Cacanda, Angola.[1]

Habitat

Rocky mountain slopes.[3]

Behavior

Nothing is known of its behavior, as less than 20 specimens have ever been collected.[3]

Venom

Nothing is known of the venom composition and no bites have ever been recorded.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ 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).
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  4. ^ "Bitis heraldica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634954. Retrieved 5 April 2007. 

Other references