Bitis arietans somalica

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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]

Common name: Somali puff adder.[2]  
 
Bitis arietans somalica is a venomous viper subspecies[3] found only in Somalia, eastern Ethiopia and northern Kenya.[4]

Description

Distinguished from 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

Found in 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

Cited references

  1. 1.0 1.1 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. 2.0 2.1 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 (TSN 635233) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 5 April 2007.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.