| Atheris ceratophora | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. ceratophora |
| Binomial name | |
| Atheris ceratophora F. Werner, 1895 | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
- Common names: Usambara bush viper, horned bush viper, eyelash bush viper, more.
Atheris ceratophora is a venomous viper species endemic to a few mountain ranges in Tanzania. This used to be the only horned, arboreal viper known from Africa, until the discovery in 2011 of Atheris matildae, also found in Tanzania. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Description
It grows to a maximum total length (body + tail) of 54 cm (21 in). Females are slightly larger than males. The maximum total length for a male is reported to be 42 cm (17 in), the tail of which measured 8 cm (3.1 in).
Easily recognized by a set of 3-5 horn-like superciliary scales above each eye. The rostral scale is more than twice as broad as high. There are 9 upper labials. The first 3 lower labials on each side are in contact with the one pair of chin shields.
Midbody, the dorsal scales number 21-25. The ventral scale count is 142-152. There are 41-56 subcaudals.
The color pattern consists of a yellowish-green, olive, gray or black ground color. This may or may not be overlaid by variable markings, sometimes in the form of irregular black spots or cross-bars that may be lined with yellow or white spots. The belly is dirty orange to almost black in color, sometimes with dark spots.
Common names
Usambara bush viper, horned bush viper, eyelash bush viper, Usambara mountain bush viper, horned tree viper, Usambara tree viper.
Geographic range
It is found in the Usambara and Uzungwe Mountains in Tanzania. It is probably also found in the Uluguru Mountains.
The type locality is "Usambara" Mountains .
Habitat
Found in grass and low bushes about 1 m (3.3 ft) above the ground in woodlands and forests at altitudes of 700–2,000 m (2,300–6,600 ft).
Behavior
Like other Atheris species, it is probably active mainly at night, or at dawn or dusk.
Gallery
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Specimen part of the collection of the Natural History Museum of Denmark
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Field observation in Tanzania
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References
- Spawls, S.; Joger, U. (2019). "Atheris ceratophora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T178563A46182773. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T178563A46182773.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: 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.
- ^ Atheris ceratophora at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
- ^ Atheris ceratophora at The World Of Atheris. Accessed 8 September 2007.
- "Atheris ceratophora". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 13 July 2006.
- ^ Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
Further reading
- Boulenger GA. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the...Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers.) xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I.- XXV. (Atheris ceratophorus, p. 510.)
- Werner F. 1895. Ueber einige Reptilien aus Usambara (Deutsch-Ostafrika). Zoologisch-Botanische Gesellschaft in Wien 45: 190-194.
("Atheris ceratophora n. sp.", p. 194 + Plate V, Figures 1a-1e.)
External links
- Atheris ceratophora at Corallus.com. Accessed 8 October 2006.
- Atheris ceratophora at Baumpython.com. Accessed 8 October 2006.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Atheris ceratophora | |