Bitis heraldica

Bitis heraldica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
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];

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".[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]

Taxonomy

Common names include Angolan adder[4][2] and Bocage's horned adder.[3]

Description

The maximum recorded total length (body + tail) is 405 mm (15.9 in).[2]

Distribution and habitat

It is found on the high plateau of central Angola.[1]

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

It commonly inhabits rocky mountain slopes.[2]

Behavior

Nothing is known of its behavior, as less than 20 specimens have ever been collected.[2]

Venom

Nothing is known of the venom composition, and no bites have ever been recorded.[2]

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References

McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8
"Bitis heraldica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.

External links

Bitis heraldica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.

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[McD99-1] McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).

[SB95-2] Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8

[ITIS-3] "Bitis heraldica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 5 April 2007.

[Mal03-4] Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.