| Bitis heraldica | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
 Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Bitis |
| Species: | B. heraldica |
| Binomial name | |
| Bitis heraldica (Bocage, 1889) | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Bitis heraldica is a viper species endemic to Angola. It is easily distinguished from B. caudalis by its heavily speckled belly and lack of any supraocular "horns". No subspecies are currently recognized.
Taxonomy
Its common names include Angolan adder and Bocage's horned adder.
Description
The maximum recorded total length (body + tail) is 405 mm (15.9 in).
Distribution and habitat
It is found on 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 13 et 14 parallèle á l'est de Caconda." [Calai River (tributary of the Kunene), Cacanda, Angola.
It commonly inhabits rocky mountain slopes.
Behavior
Nothing is known of its behavior, as less than 20 specimens have ever been collected.
Venom
Nothing is known of the venom composition, and no bites have ever been recorded.
References
- ^ Ceríaco, L.M.P. (2021). "Bitis heraldica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T22475207A22475216. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22475207A22475216.en. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ 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).
- ^ Bitis heraldica at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 4 February 2022.
- ^ 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 4 February 2022.
- 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.
Further reading
- Bocage JVB du. 1889. Mélanges erpétologiques. II. Sur une Vipère apparemment nouvelle d'Angola. Jornal de Sciencias Mathematicas, Physicas e Naturaes, Academia Real das Sciencias de Lisboa, Segunda Série 1: 127-128. (Vipera heraldica, nov. sp.)
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Bitis heraldica | |
| Vipera heraldica | |