| Bitis heraldica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| 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. [1] [3] It is easily distinguished from B. caudalis by its heavily speckled belly and lack of any supraocular "horns". [4] No subspecies are currently recognized. [3] [5]
Its common names include Angolan adder [4] [6] and Bocage's horned adder. [5]
The maximum recorded total length (body + tail) is 405 mm (15.9 in). [4]
It is found on the high plateau of central Angola. [2]
The type locality given is "sur les bords de la rivière Calae, l'un des affluents de Cunene, entre le 13o et 14o parallèle á l'est de Caconda." [Calai River (tributary of the Kunene), Cacanda, Angola. [2]
It commonly inhabits rocky mountain slopes. [4]
Nothing is known of its behavior, as less than 20 specimens have ever been collected. [4]
Nothing is known of the venom composition, and no bites have ever been recorded. [4]
