Bitis xeropaga

Bitis xeropaga, commonly known as the desert mountain adder[4][5] or Lüderitz dwarf viper,[6] is a viper species found in southern Namibia and northwestern Cape Province in South Africa.[1][3] Like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3][7]

Bitis xeropaga
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bitis
Species:
B. xeropaga
Binomial name
Bitis xeropaga
Haacke, 1975
Synonyms
  • Bitis peringueyi
    — Nieden, 1913 (part)
  • Bitis caudalis caudalis
    — Mertens, 1958 (part)
  • Bitis xeropaga Haacke, 1975[2]
  • Bitis (Calechidna) xeropaga — Lenk et al., 1999
  • Bitis xeropaga — McDiarmid, Campbell & Touré, 1999[3]

Description

Adults average 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) total length (body + tail), with a maximum total length of 61 cm (24 in) for a female.[4][5]

Geographic range

Northwestern Cape Province in South Africa and the arid mountains of the lower Orange River basin, north into southern Namibia and Great Namaqualand as far as Aus is the range for this snake.[2]

The type locality given is "Dreigratberg on north bank of Orange River, Lüderitz district, South West Africa [Namibia] (16°52' E, 28°05' S, alt. about 300 m [980 ft])".[2]

References
  1. Maritz, B.; Turner, A.A.; Becker, F.; Bauer, A.M. (2021). "Bitis xeropaga". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T22475231A147709049. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22475231A147709049.en. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  2. 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. Bitis xeropaga at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 February 2022.
  4. 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.
  5. Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  6. Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  7. "Bitis xeropaga". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

Further reading
  • Branch, Bill. 2004. Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Bitis xeropaga, p. 117 + Plate 13).
  • Haacke WD. "Description of a new adder (Viperidae, Reptilia) from Southern Africa, with a discussion of related forms." Cimbebasia, Series A 4 (5): 115–128. (Bitis xeropaga, new species).
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