Berg adder
Berg adder | |
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Color variant typical of the Cedarberg, about 32.33° South, 19.1° East. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Bitis |
Species: | B. atropos
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Binomial name | |
Bitis atropos | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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The berg adder (Bitis atropos) is a venomous viper species endemic to mountainous regions in southern Africa.[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
Taxonomy
The
Its common names include berg adder,[5] Cape mountain adder, and mountain adder.[6][7]
Description
The typical adult size of B. atropos is 30–40 cm (about 12–16 in) in total length (body and tail), with some females reaching a maximum total length of 50 cm (20 in) in the wild and 60 cm (24 in) in captivity.
Distribution and habitat
B. atropos is found in isolated populations of the mountainous regions of
B. atropos occupies a number of different
In the southern part of its range (Cape Province, South Africa), where the winters are cold and wet and the summers warm and dry, it can be found in coastal and mountain heathland, as well as small rock outcrops at sea level and grassy areas with clumps of bushes and shrubs west of the Cape Peninsula.[5][6][8]
Venom and diet
The atropos adder is unusual among Bitis species in that its venom is predominantly neurotoxic,[5] so much so that the effects of the bite seldom include necrosis or infection. The snake is described as "irascible", hissing violently and twisting convulsively if molested.[10]
Presumably, the neurotoxic venom is an adaptation to the prey, which largely comprise rock lizards and small amphibians. It does, however, also eat other animals, such as small rodents and young of ground-nesting birds. The venom is not powerful enough for the dose injected at a single strike to kill an adult human, and no records of human fatalities have been found. Whether at threat or not, though, persons do not seem to respond usefully to antivenom, so treatment should be limited to symptomatic control. Such as the effects of the venom are, they take effect quickly. Symptoms of the bite have been compared to alcohol intoxication and are not permanent. Unlike the bites of elapid snakes, B. atropos bites, though neurotoxic, do not cause obvious effects on heart and respiratory functions, but they can be troublesome, and their effects sometimes persist for some days or even weeks, which suggests the venom causes nerve damage that does not mend quickly if it is severe. Obvious symptoms may include loss of smell or taste, drooping eyelids, and loss of vision.[11]
Reproduction
B. atropos is viviparous.[7] Young are born in late summer. Average litter size is seven, but may be as many as 15. Each neonate has a total length (including tail) of about 13 cm (5.1 in).[12]
References
- . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 1-893777-01-4(volume).
- ^ "Bitis atropos". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 24 July 2006.
- ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Bitis atropos, p. 12).
- ^ ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ^ ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- ^ a b Bitis atropos at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
- ^ a b Berg adder (Bitis atropos) Archived 28 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Haagner GV, Hurter J (1988). "Additional Distribution Records of the Berg Adder Bitis atropos in the South-eastern Transvaal and Swaziland". African Protected Area Conservation and Science. 31 (1).
- ^ Rose, Walter (1950). The Reptiles and Amphibians of Southern Africa. Maskew Miller.
- ^ Branch, Bill (1988). Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Struik.
- ^ Branch, Bill (2004).
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the ... Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers.) xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I.- XXV. (Bitis atropos, pp. 495–496).
- ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Bitis atropos, pp. 115–116 + Plate 12).
- Broadley DG, Cock EV (1975). Snakes of Rhodesia. Zimbabwe: Longman Zimbabwe Ltd. 97 pp.
- Broadley DG (1990). FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern Africa. Parklands (South Africa): J. Ball & A.D. Donker Publishers. 387 pp.
- Duméril A-M-C, Bibron G, Duméril A (1854). Erpétologie générale ou histoire naturelle complète des reptiles. Tome septième. Deuxième partie. Paris: Roret. xii + pp. 781–1536. (Echidna atropos, pp. 1432–1433).
- FitzSimons VFM (1962). Snakes of Southern Africa. Cape Town and Johannesburg: Purnell and Sons (S.A.) (Pty.) Ltd. 423 pp.
- FitzSimons VFM (1980). A Field Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa. London: Collins Publishers. 221 pp.
- Linnaeus C (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata. Stockholm: L. Salvius. 824 pp. (Coluber atropos, p. 216).
External links
- Bitis atropos at Eco Travel Africa. Accessed 27 October 2011.