Red adder
| Red adder | |
|---|---|
| File:Bitis rubida00.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Bitis |
| Species: | B. rubida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bitis rubida Branch, 1997
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The red adder (Bitis rubida) is a viper species found only in Western Cape Province, South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognised.[3] Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]Bitis rubida was described as a new species in 1997 by William Roy "Bill" Branch. Prior to that time, specimens of this snake had been identified as belonging to several other species and subspecies of the genus Bitis (see "Synonyms" in "Taxobox"). The type locality given is "Jeep track above Farm Driehoek, Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape Province, South Africa; 32°25'44"S, 19°12'30"E, alt. 1380 m [4,528 ft]; 3219AC."[2]
The common name is "red adder".[4]
Description
[edit | edit source]Maximum recorded total lengths (body + tail) are 41.9 cm (16.5 in) for females and 37.7 cm (14.8 in) for males.[4]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]Several isolated populations are found in the northern Cape Fold Mountains and inland escarpment in Western Cape Province, South Africa.
References
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- ^ a b 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. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (series). Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (volume).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Branch WR. 1997. A new adder (Bitis; Viperidae) from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Zoology 32 (2): 37–42.
- Branch, Bill. 2004. Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. (Bitis rubida, p. 117 + Plate 14).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Bitis rubida at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 24 November 2007.
- Bitis rubida image at ARKive, Reptiles. Accessed 2 October 2006.
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