Bitis inornata

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Bitis inornata
Bitis inornata.jpg
Original illustration from A. Smith, 1838.
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bitis
Species:
B. inornata
Binomial name
Bitis inornata
(A. Smith, 1838)
Synonyms [2]
  • Echidna inornata
    A. Smith, 1838
  • Clotho ? inornata
    Gray, 1849
  • Vipera inornata
    Strauch, 1869
  • Bitis inornata
    Boulenger, 1896
  • Bitis cornuta inornata
    Underwood, 1968
  • Bitis inornata
    Branch, 1991
Common names: plain mountain adder, hornless adder. [3] [4] Cape puff adder. [5]

Bitis inornata is a venomous viper species found only in Cape Province, South Africa. [1] [2] [6] No subspecies are currently recognized. [6] [7]

Contents

Description

Adults of Bitis inornata average 25–40 cm (about 10–16 inches) in total length (including tail), with a maximum recorded total length of 45 cm (18 in). [3]

Geographic range

Bitis inornata is endemic to Cape Province, South Africa. [1]

An isolated population exists on the Sneeuberg, eastern Cape Province, South Africa. [2]

The type locality is listed as "Sneeuwbergen, or Snow Mountains, ... immediately behind the village of Graaff Raynet" (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa). [2]

Spawls and Branch (1995) described it as known only from two isolated populations in southern Cape Province in South Africa: the first in the east, limited to the montane grassland of the Sneeuberge, from north of Graaff-Reinet to Cradock. A second population was discovered relatively recently on the upper slopes of the Cederberg in the west. [4]

Conservation status

The species Bitis inornata is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List. [1]

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

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

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

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Conradie, W.; Tolley, K.A.; Alexander, G.J.; Weeber, J.; Pietersen, D.; Maritz, B.; Turner, A.A. (2022). "Bitis inornata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022: e.T2817A197397029. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 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. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. 1 2 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G (2003). True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN   0-89464-877-2.
  4. 1 2 Spawls, Stephen; Branch, Bill (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Oriental Press / Ralph Curtis Books. 192 pp. ISBN   0-88359-029-8.
  5. Brown JH (1973). Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN   0-398-02808-7.
  6. 1 2 Bitis inornata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 February 2022.
  7. "Bitis inornata ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 3 February 2022.

Further reading