Atractaspis bibronii

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Bibron's stiletto snake
Atractaspis bibronii 2.jpg
Atractaspis bibronii full body.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Atractaspididae
Genus: Atractaspis
Species:
A. bibronii
Binomial name
Atractaspis bibronii
A. Smith, 1849
Atractaspis bibronii
IUCN range
  Extant (resident)
Synonyms [2]
  • Atractaspis bibronii
    A. Smith, 1849
  • Atractaspis inornatus
    A. Smith, 1849
  • Atractaspis Bibronii
    — A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Atractaspis rostrata
    Günther, 1868
  • Atractaspis irregularis var. Bibronii
    — Boettger, 1887
  • Atractaspis Coarti
    Boulenger, 1901
  • Atractaspis Katangae
    Boulenger, 1910
  • Atractaspis bibronii katangae
    — Laurent, 1945
  • Atractaspis bibronii rostrata
    — Laurent, 1950
  • Atractaspis bibronii
    — V. Fitzsimons & Brain, 1958
  • Atractaspis bibronii
    — Auerbach, 1987
  • Atractaspis bibroni
    — Welch, 1994

Atractaspis bibronii is a species of venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is endemic to Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognised as being valid. [3] Its common names are the Southern stiletto snake, [4] Bibron's stiletto snake, [4] Side-stabbing snake; [4] previously it was known [4] as Bibron's burrowing asp, [5] Bibron's mole viper, [6] and the mole adder. [7]

Contents

Etymology

The specific epithet, bibronii, is in honour of French herpetologist Gabriel Bibron. [6]

Description

Adults of A. bibronii average 30–40 cm (12–16 in) [4] in total length (including tail), with a maximum total length of 55 cm (21+3⁄4 in). [4] The dorsum is a uniform grey or dark brown to black colour. [4] The belly is a uniform white, or pale yellow in colour, with a series of dark blotches. In specimens with a lighter belly colouration, the belly colouration may also include two or three scale rows on the flanks. [5]

The snout is prominent and subcuneiform. The portion of the rostral visible from above is as long as or a little shorter than its distance from the frontal. The dorsals are in 21 or 23 rows at midbody. The ventrals number 221-260. The anal is entire. The subcaudals number 20-23, of which all or the greater part are single (not divided). [8]

Geographic range

A. bibronii is found in southern Africa, from central Namibia, east to northern South Africa, north to southeastern DR Congo and Uganda, eastern Tanzania, coastal Kenya, and extreme southern coastal Somalia. [5]

Habitat

The preferred habitats of A. bibronii are fynbos, Namib Desert, karoo scrub, semi-desert, arid savannah, savannah, moist savannah, grassland, lowland forest, and woodland. [4] [5]

Diet

A. bibronii will eat frogs and small mammals, but its main diet is burrowing reptiles encountered in old termite mounds. [9]

Venom

The venom of A. bibronii is highly cytotoxic, although it is produced in very small amounts. Bites are common in some areas of Africa. Often, snake handlers are bitten who are unaware that this species is able to bite while being held by its neck. It is the third most common cause of serious snakebites in South Africa, after the Mozambique spitting cobra and the Puff adder. [10]

Bite symptoms usually include mild to intense pain, local swelling with occasional blistering, and necrosis and regional lymphadenopathy. In the early stages symptoms like dry throat and nausea may be present. [4] No fatalities have been recorded. [5] However, this is a serious bite and medical treatment will need to be provided. There is currently no known antidote. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atractaspididae</span> Family of snakes

The Atractaspididae (atractaspidids) are a family of venomous snakes found in Africa and the Middle East, commonly called mole vipers, stiletto snakes, or burrowing asps. Currently, 12 genera are recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boomslang</span> Species of snakes of genus Dispholidus in the family Colubridae

The boomslang is a highly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Sub-Saharan Africa.

<i>Atractaspis</i> Genus of snakes

Atractaspis is a genus of venomous snakes in the family Atractaspidae, also known as the stiletto snakes. The genus is endemic to Africa and the Middle East. The genus contains 15 species that are recognized by ITIS. Others recognize as many as 21 species. 23 are listed here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puff adder</span> Species of highly venomous snake

The puff adder is a highly venomous viper species found in savannahs and grasslands from Morocco and western Arabia throughout Africa except for the Sahara and rainforest regions. It is responsible for causing the most snakebite fatalities in Africa owing to various factors, such as its wide distribution, frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and aggressive disposition. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bibron's thick-toed gecko</span> Species of lizard

Chondrodactylus bibronii, commonly known as Bibron's thick-toed gecko, Bibron's sand gecko, or simply Bibron's gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to southern Africa. C. bibronii has been used as an animal model in bioastronautic research examining the effects of spaceflight on the morphology and physiology of vertebrates.

Proatheris is a monotypic genus created for the viper species, Proatheris superciliaris. This is a small terrestrial species endemic to East Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berg adder</span> Species of snake

The berg adder is a venomous viper species endemic to mountainous regions in southern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bitis schneideri</i> Species of snake

Bitis schneideri is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to a small coastal region that straddles the border between Namibia and South Africa. B. schneideri is the smallest species in the genus Bitis and possibly the world's smallest viper. There are no subspecies that are currently recognized as being valid.

<i>Causus rhombeatus</i> Species of snake

Causus rhombeatus, commonly known as the rhombic night adder, is a viper species endemic to subsaharan Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

<i>Lycophidion</i> Genus of snakes

Lycophidion is a genus of nonvenomous lamprophiid snakes commonly referred to as the wolf snakes.

The small-scaled burrowing asp is a species of atractaspidid snake from West Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mole snake</span> Species of snake

The mole snake is a species of snake. It has been placed in the family Lamprophiidae, and more recently in the family Pseudaspididae, along with the genus Pythonodipsas. It is native to much of southern Africa, and is the only member of the genus Pseudaspis. A study showed that P. cana is caught and consumed by the honey badger, among other species. Remains of the mole snake were found in the faeces, and suggest the consumed individuals were larger specimens.

<i>Atractaspis aterrima</i> Species of snake

Atractaspis aterrima, commonly known as the slender burrowing asp or mole viper, is a species of fossorial, venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae. The specific epithet, aterrima, meaning "blackest", is the superlative form of the Latin adjective ater, meaning "black".

<i>Atractaspis duerdeni</i> Species of snake

Atractaspis duerdeni, commonly known as the beaked burrowing asp, Duerden's burrowing asp, and Duerden's stiletto snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is native to southern Africa.

<i>Atractaspis engdahli</i> Species of snake

Atractaspis engdahli, also known commonly as Engdahl's burrowing asp, Engdahl's burrowing viper, and the mole viper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is endemic to Africa.

Atractaspis scorteccii, commonly known as Scortecci's mole viper or the Somali burrowing asp, is a species of venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bibron's blind snake</span> Species of snake

Bibron's blind snake is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

<i>Lycodonomorphus inornatus</i> Species of snake

Lycodonomorphus inornatus, commonly known as the olive house snake, the black house snake, and the olive ground snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa. It is a nocturnal snake with terrestrial habits.

References

  1. ↑ Wagner, P.; Branch, W.R.; Safari, I.; Chenga, J. (2021). "Atractaspis bibronii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T17364176A17364197. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T17364176A17364197.en . Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  2. ↑ Atractaspis bibronii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 July 2008.
  3. ↑ "Atractaspis bibronii ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Marais, Johan (2004). A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. ISBN   186872932X. OCLC   55743880.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Spawls, Stephen; Branch, Bill (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Oriental Press / Ralph Curtis Books. 192 pp. ISBN   0-88359-029-8.
  6. 1 2 Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Atractaspis bibroni, p. 25).
  7. ↑ Marais, Johan (2018-10-31). "Beware of the Stiletto Snake". African Snakebite Institute. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  8. ↑ 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. (Atractaspis bibronii, p. 515).
  9. ↑ 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. ISBN   0-88359-042-5 (Atractaspis bibronii, p. 62 & Plate 38).
  10. 1 2 Marais, Johan (2017-10-22). "Bibron's Stiletto Snake - ASI". African Snakebite Institute. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
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