| Atheris matildae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Atheris |
| Species: | A. matildae |
| Binomial name | |
| Atheris matildae | |
Atheris matildae, also known as Matilda's horned viper, is a species of arboreal forest viper endemic to Tanzania. [1] [2]
It was discovered in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania during a 2010–2011 biological survey. The exact location of the viper is unspecified, to protect it from being collected for the illegal pet trade. [3] [4] The snake was described as a new species on December 6, 2011, in a study published in the journal, Zootaxa . A captive breeding colony has already been established by the authors of the study. [3] [4]
The species is most likely a nocturnal ambush predator, waiting by streams to ambush frogs.
It resembles Atheris ceratophora , the Usambara bush viper. [1] [4] Atheris matildae is easily distinguished from all its congeners except for the A. ceratophora since they both have two to three enlarged hornlike structures above their eyes. A. matildae measures 64.3 centimetres (25.3 in) in total length, making it larger than A. ceratophora (the largest size ever recorded for A. ceratophora is 51.0 cm). [1] [2]
Matilda's horned viper occupies only a small area further threatened by logging and charcoal production.
Atheris matildae was named after Matilda, the daughter of Tim Davenport, [1] the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Tanzania and a member of the three-person team to have discovered the snake. [5]
Matilda or Mathilda may refer to:
Cerastes cerastes, commonly known as the Saharan horned viper or the desert horned viper, is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of northern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant. It often is easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular "horns", although hornless individuals do occur. Three subspecies have been described.
Bothriechis schlegelii, known commonly as the eyelash viper, is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is native to Central and South America. Small and arboreal, this species is characterized by a wide array of color variations, as well as the superciliary scales above the eyes. It is the most common of the green palm-pitvipers, and is often present in zoological exhibits. The specific name schlegelii honors Hermann Schlegel, who was a German ornithologist and herpetologist. For other common names see below. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.
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Atheris mabuensis, the Mount Mabu forest viper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. It is endemic to Mozambique.