Montatheris
| Montatheris |
| Scientific classification |
| Kingdom: |
Animalia |
| Phylum: |
Chordata |
| Subphylum: |
Vertebrata |
| Class: |
Reptilia |
| Order: |
Squamata |
| Suborder: |
Serpentes |
| Family: |
Viperidae |
| Subfamily: |
Viperinae |
| Genus: |
Montatheris
Broadley, 1996 |
| Species: |
M. hindii |
| Binomial name |
Montatheris hindii
(Boulenger, 1910) |
| Synonyms |
- Vipera - Boulenger, 1910
- Hindius - Reuss, 1939
- Bitis - Kramer, 1961
- Atheris - Marx & Rabb, 1965
- Montatheris - Broadley, 1996[1]
- Vipera hindii - Boulenger, 1910
- V[ipera]. hindei - Schwarz, 1936
- Bitis hindii - Kramer, 1961
- Atheris hindii - Marx & Rabb, 1965
- Montatheris hindii - Broadley, 1996[1]
|
- Common names: Kenya mountain viper,[2] Kenya montane viper,[3] montane viper,[4] Hind's viper.[5]
Montatheris is a monotypic genus created for a venomous viper species, M. hindii. This is a small terrestrial species found only at high altitude on Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountain range in Kenya. No subspecies are currently recognized.[6]
Description
This is a small species reaching an average length of 20-30 cm and a maximum of about 35 cm. The head is elongated and not very distinct from the neck, while the eyes are small and set in a rather forwards position. The dorsal scales are strongly keeled.[2]
Geographic range
Endemic to Kenya. Known only from isolated populations on Mount Kenya and the moorlands of the Plateau, Kinangop Aberdare mountains. The type locality listed is "Fort Hall, Kenya." Since Fort Hall is at an altitude of only 4000 feet (1219 m), Loveridge (1957) questioned whether this was accurate.[1][3]
Habitat
Occurs at high altitudes of 2700-3800 m in treeless moorlands. Favors clumps of bunch grass for cover.[3]
Behavior
A terrestrial species. Because of the low nighttime temperatures in its native habitat, it is only active during the day and when there is enough sunlight to warm its environment.[3]
Feeding
It feeds on chameleons, skinks and small frogs. It may also take small rodents.[7]
Reproduction
This species is apparently viviparous (ovoviviparous). One wild-caught female produced two young in late January,[3] while another gave birth to three in May. The young were 10-13 cm long.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c 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 c d e Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ^ Montatheris hindii at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 9 September 2007.
- ^ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ "Montatheris hindii". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634426. Retrieved 31 July 2006.
- ^ Spawls S, Howell K, Drewes R, Ashe J. 2004. A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of East Africa. A & C Black Publishers Ltd., London. 543 pp. ISBN 0-7136-6817-2.
Further reading
- Andrén C. 1976. The reptile fauna in the lower alpine zone of the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya. British Journal of Herpetology 5(7):566-575.
- Marx H., Rabb G.B. 1965. Relationships and zoogeography of the viperine snakes (Family Viperidae). Field Zoology 44:161-206.
- Broadley D.G. 1996. A review of the tribe Atherini (Serpentes: Viperidae), with the descriptions of two new genera. African Journal of Herpetology 45(2):40-48.
External links