Bitis inornata

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Bitis inornata
Bitis inornata.jpg
Original illustration from A. Smith, 1838.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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 inornataA. Smith, 1838
  • Clotho ? inornata Gray, 1849
  • Vipera inornata Strauch, 1869
  • Bitis inornata Boulenger, 1896
  • Bitis cornuta inornata Underwood  [ fr ], 1968
  • Bitis inornata Branch, 1991

Bitis inornata is a venomous viper species found only in Cape Province, South Africa. [1] [2] [3] No subspecies are currently recognized. [3] [4]

Contents

Common names

Common names for this species include plain mountain adder, hornless adder, [5] [6] and Cape puff adder. [7]

Description

Adults of Bitis inornata average 25–40 cm (9.8–15.7 in) in total length (including tail), with a maximum recorded total length of 45 cm (18 in). [5]

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. [6]

Conservation status

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

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. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T2817A197397029.en .
  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 Bitis inornata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 February 2022.
  4. ↑ "Bitis inornata ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. ↑ 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.

Further reading

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