Wikipedia
Bitis arietans somalica
Bitis arietans somalica (Somali: Abeeso) also known as the Somali puff adder,[2] is a venomous viper subspecies[3] found only in Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, and northern Kenya.[4] It is distinguished from B. a. arietans by its keeled subcaudals.[2]
| Bitis arietans somalica | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Bitis |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | B. a. somalica |
| Trinomial name | |
| Bitis arietans somalica Parker, 1949 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Normally, B. arietans grows to a total length (body and tail) around 800–900 mm (about 32-36 in). In northern Kenya, Somalia, and though, they grow unusually large, reaching total lengths up to 1,905 mm (75.0 in).[4]
Geographic range edit
This snake is found in northeastern Kenya, eastern Ethiopia, Somalia (including Coiama Island), a[4] The type locality given is "Bohodle, 2100 ft., (Bohodle, 640 m,).[1]
References edit
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Bitis arietans somalica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 August 2006.
- ^ a b c Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
Further reading edit
- Parker HW. 1949. The Snakes of Somalia and the Sokotra Islands. Zoologische Verhandelingen 6: 1-115. ("Bitis lachesis somalica subsp. nov.", pp. 101–105 + figure.)
External links edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bitis arietans.
- Video of two puff adders: B. a. arietans and B. a. somalica. on YouTube