| Causus resimus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Causus |
| Species: | C. resimus |
| Binomial name | |
| Causus resimus (Peters, 1862) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Causus resimus is a viper species found in isolated populations distributed across tropical Africa. [2] No subspecies are currently recognized. [3] Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Averages 30–60 cm in length with a maximum of 75 cm. [4] They appear relatively stout. [2]
The head is short and slightly distinct from the neck with an upturned snout. The circumorbital ring includes 2 preoculars, 2 postoculars and 1–2 subocular scales. There are 6–7 sublabials. The temporal scales number 2+3 (rarely 2+4). [2]
Midbody there are 19–22 rows of faintly keeled dorsal scales that have a velvety appearance. There are 131–155 ventral scales. The anal scale is single. There are 16–27 paired subcaudals. [2]
The color pattern consists of a green ground color that may be anything from bright green to olive. This is overlaid with a series dark inverted chevron-like crossbars that run down the back, similar to C. defilippii and C. rhombeatus . The chin and throat are yellow. The belly is a yellowish, cream or pearly in color. [2]
Green night adder, [2] [4] velvety-green night adder, [5] green viper. [6]
Central and eastern Africa from Nigeria east to Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and south to Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo. An isolated population occurs in western Angola. The type locality is listed as "Sennâr, vom Gebel-Ghule" (Jebel Ghule, Sennar, Sudan). [1]
Prefers low-lying moist savanna, wooded hills, high grasslands, and the riparian zones of rivers that run through swamps, rocky gorges, coastal scrubland and semi-deserts. Also known to occur in man-made habitats, such as abandoned quarries, sugar cane plantations and in borrow pit pools along roads. [2]
If disturbed, they inflate themselves and put on a ferocious hissing and puffing threat display. The front part of the body is raised and coiled, from which position they tend to make sweeping and lashing strikes as opposed to a stabbing motion. They are mostly terrestrial, but are also good swimmers and have been known to climb into sedges in pursuit of prey. Despite their common name, they are diurnal and are often seen basking. They hide under ground cover when not active. [2]
The Viperinae, or viperines, are a subfamily of vipers endemic to Europe, Asia and Africa. They are distinguished by their lack of the heat-sensing pit organs that characterize their sister group, the subfamily Crotalinae. Currently, 13 genera are recognized. Most are tropical and subtropical, although one species, Vipera berus, even occurs within the Arctic Circle. Like all vipers, they are venomous.
The Gaboon viper, also called the Gaboon adder, is a viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is the largest member of the genus Bitis, and it has the longest fangs of any venomous snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the highest venom yield of any snake. No subspecies are recognized.
Bitis nasicornis is a viper species found in the forests of West and Central Africa. This large viper is known for its striking coloration and prominent nasal "horns". No subspecies are currently recognized. Its common names include butterfly viper, rhinoceros viper, and river jack. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
The puff adder is a 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.
Causus is a genus of vipers found only in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a group considered to be among the most primitive members of the family Viperidae based on head scalation, oviparity, venom apparatus, and because they have round pupils. However, this is contradicted by recent molecular studies. Seven species are currently recognized. They are commonly known as night adders. Like all other vipers, they are venomous.
Atheris ceratophora is a venomous viper species endemic to a few mountain ranges in Tanzania. This used to be the only horned, arboreal viper known from Africa, until the discovery in 2011 of Atheris matildae, also found in Tanzania. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Atheris chlorechis is a venomous viper species found only in the forests of West Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. It is the type species of its genus.
Atheris desaixi, commonly known as the Mount Kenya bush viper, Ashe's bush viper, or Desaix's bush viper, is a venomous species of viper endemic to Kenya, where only two isolated populations are known. It is known for its striking black and yellow coloration. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Atheris rungweensis, commonly known as the Rungwe tree viper, Mt Rungwe bush viper, and Rungwe leaf viper, is a species of venomous viper found in East Africa.
The berg adder is a venomous viper species endemic to mountainous regions in southern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
The horned adder is a viper species. It is found in the arid region of southwest Africa, in Angola, Botswana, Namibia; South Africa, and Zimbabwe. It is easily distinguished by the presence of a single, large horn-like scale over each eye. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
The many-horned adder is a venomous viper species. It is found in certain rocky desert areas, mostly along the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, in western South Africa and southwestern Namibia. They have characteristic tufts of "horns" above each eye. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bitis inornata is a venomous viper species found only in Cape Province, South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bitis peringueyi, also known as the Peringuey's adder, Peringuey's desert adder or desert sidewinding adder, is a venomous viper species found in Namibia and southern Angola. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bitis xeropaga is a venomous viper species found in southern Namibia and northwestern Cape Province in South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Causus maculatus is viper species found mainly in West- and Central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include forest rhombic night adder, West African night adder and spotted night adder. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
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.
Causus bilineatus is a viper species endemic to south central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include lined night adder, two-lined night adder, and two-striped night adder. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Causus defilippii, commonly known as snouted night adder, is a species of snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to East and Southern Africa. Although its venom is nonlethal to humans, it is still considered medically significant. There are no recognized subspecies.
Causus lichtensteinii is a viper species endemic to western, central, and eastern Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
