Bitis arietans somalica

Bitis arietans somalica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Bitis
Species: B. arietans
Subspecies: B. a. somalica
Trinomial name
Bitis arietans somalica
(Parker, 1949)
Synonyms
  • Bitis lachesis somalica (Parker, 1949)
  • Bitis arietans somalica: Loveridge, 1957[1]

Bitis arietans somalica, sometimes known as the Somali puff adder,[2] is a venomous viper subspecies[3] found only in Somalia, eastern Ethiopia and northern Kenya.[4]

Contents

Description

Distinguished from other B. arietans by its keeled subcaudals.[2]

Normally, B. arietans grows to about 800–900 mm. However, in northern Kenya, Uganda and Somalia, they grow unusually large, reaching lengths of up to 1905 mm.[4]

Geographic range

Northern Kenya, eastern Ethiopia, Somalia (incl. Coiama Island).[4] The type locality given is "Bohodle, 2100 ft., Somaliland" (Bohodle, 640 m, Somalia).[1]

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. ^ a b 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. ^ "Bitis arietans somalica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=635233. Retrieved 27 August 2006. 
  4. ^ a b c Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.

External links