| Bitis peringueyi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Bitis |
| Species: | B. peringueyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Bitis peringueyi (Boulenger, 1888) | |
 | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Bitis peringueyi, also known as the Peringuey's adder, [3] [4] Peringuey's desert adder or desert sidewinding adder, [5] is a venomous viper species found in Namibia and southern Angola. No subspecies are currently recognized. [6]
Bitis peringueyi is a small snake with an average total length (including tail) of 20–25 cm (8–10 in), its maximum recorded total length is 32 cm (13 in). [5]
The head is short and flat with eyes located on top of the head. The head is covered with strongly keeled scales, the smallest of which are located anteriorly. The eyes are separated by six to 9 scales, while each eye is surrounded by 10-13 scales. Two to four scales separate the suborbitals from the supralabials. The latter number 10-14, the sublabials 10-13. The one pair of chin shields contact the first two to four sublabials. [5]
The dorsal scales number 23-31 at midbody and 21-27 anteriorly. All are strongly keeled, except those bordering the ventral scales are large and smooth. The ventrals number 117-144. The 15-30 subcaudals are usually keeled, particularly towards the tip. The anal plate is single. [5]
The color pattern consists of a pale buff, chestnut brown to orange-brown, or sandy-grayish ground color, overlaid with three longitudinal series of faint, elongate, gray to dark spots. The body is also stippled with an irregular pattern of pale and dark spots. The belly is usually whitish or dirty yellow. The tail is generally tan, but in 25% of specimens, it is black. [5]
Common names for B. peringueyi include Peringuey's adder, [3] [4] Peringuey's desert adder, sidewinding adder, Jack Carlin, Namib dwarf sand adder, [5] dwarf puff adder, [7] Namib desert sidewinding adder,Jack Carlin [8] dwarf sand adder, Namib dwarf adder, [9] and Namib desert viper. [10]
This adder, B. peringueyi, was named after Louis Péringuey, the South African entomologist and museum director. [11]
Bitis peringueyi is found in the Namib from southern Angola to Lüderitz, Namibia. Also seen in the Fish River Canyon.
The type locality is given as "Damaraland, 10 miles east of Walfisch Bay" [Namibia]. [2]
An ambush hunter, B. peringueyi buries itself just beneath the surface of the sand with only its eyes and the tip of its tail exposed [12] (individuals with black tail-tips employ caudal luring). [5] When prey happens by, it is seized and envenomated. [12]
The diet of B. peringueyi includes the lizards Meroles , and the barking gecko Ptenopus . Aporosaura lizards have high water contents and are important sources of water for these snakes. [5]
Crotalus cerastes, known as the sidewinder, horned rattlesnake or sidewinder rattlesnake, is a pit viper species belonging to the genus Crotalus, and is found in the desert regions of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like all other pit vipers, it is venomous. Three subspecies are currently recognized.
Cerastes cerastes, commonly known as the Saharan horned viper or the desert horned viper, is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of northern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant. It often is easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular "horns", although hornless individuals do occur. Three subspecies have been described.
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 is a genus of venomous vipers found in Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It includes the largest and the smallest vipers in the world. Members are known for their characteristic threat displays that involve inflating and deflating their bodies while hissing and puffing loudly. The type species for this genus is B. arietans, which is also the most widely distributed viper in Africa. Currently, 18 species are recognized.
Bitis nasicornis is a venomous 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. Common names: butterfly viper, rhinoceros viper, river jack.
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.
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 venomous 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.
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.
The Albany adder is a viper species. It was previously considered a subspecies of Bitis cornuta. Its range is restricted to eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa. Like all vipers, it is venomous.
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. scneideri 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.
Bitis inornata is a venomous viper species found only in Cape Province, South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Bitis parviocula is a venomous viper species found only in Ethiopia. It is large with a broad head and spectacular geometric markings. In 1995, the species was known from only three specimens, but additional information has surfaced since then. Little is known about its natural history or its venom. No subspecies are currently recognized.
The red adder is a venomous viper species found only in Western Cape Province, South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognised.
Bitis worthingtoni, also known commonly as the Kenya horned viper and the Kenyan horned viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic Kenya. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Bitis xeropaga is a venomous viper species found in southern Namibia and northwestern Cape Province in South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Causus rhombeatus, commonly known as the rhombic night adder, is a venomous viper species endemic to subsaharan Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
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 venomous viper species endemic to western, central, and eastern Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
The Persian horned viper is a species of venomous vipers endemic to the Middle East and Asia.
