Atheris ceratophora
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| Atheris ceratophora Werner, 1895 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Common names: Usambara bush viper,<ref name="SB95">Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.</ref> horned bush viper,<ref name="EMBL-AC">Species Atheris ceratophora at the EMBL Reptile Database</ref> eyelash bush viper,<ref name="WOA">World of Atheris: Atheris ceratophora at kingsnake.com</ref> more.
Atheris ceratophora is a venomous viper species found only in a few mountain ranges in Tanzania. This is the only horned, arboreal viper in Africa.<ref name="SB95"/> No subspecies are currently recognized.<ref name="ITIS">Atheris ceratophora (TSN 634942). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 13 July 2006.</ref>
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[edit] Description
Grown to a maximum length of 54 cm. Females slightly larger than males. The maximum length for a male is reported to be 42 cm, the tail of which measured 8 cm.<ref name="Mal03">Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.</ref>
Easily recognized by a set of 3-5 horn-like superciliary scales above each eye. The rostral scale has more than twice the length of its width. It has 9 upper labials. The chin shield contacts 3 of the lower labials.<ref name="Mal03"/>
Mid-body, the dorsal scales number 21-25. The ventral scale count is 142-152. There are 41-56 subcaudals.<ref name="Mal03"/>
The color pattern consists of a yellowish-green, olive, gray or black ground color. This may or may not be overlaid by variable markings, sometimes in the form of irregular black spots or cross-bars that may be lined with yellow or white spots. The belly is dirty orange to almost black in color, sometimes with dark spots.<ref name="SB95"/>
[edit] Common names
Usambara bush viper,<ref name="SB95"/> horned bush viper,<ref name="EMBL-AC"/> eyelash bush viper,<ref name="WOA"/> Usambara mountain bush viper.<ref name="Mal03"/>
[edit] Geographic range
The Usambara and Uzungwe Mountains in Tanzania. The type locality is "Usambara" Mountains [Tanzania].<ref name="McD99"/> They are probably also found in the Uluguru Mountains.<ref name="SB95"/>
[edit] Habitat
Found in grass and low bushes about 1 m above the ground<ref name="SB95"/> in woodlands and forests at altitudes of 700-2000 m.
[edit] Behavior
Like other Atheris species, it is probably active mainly at night, or at dawn or dusk.
[edit] See also
[edit] Cited references
<references/>
[edit] External links
- Atheris ceratophora at Corallus.com. Accessed 8 October 2006.
- Atheris ceratophora at baumpython.com. Accessed 8 October 2006.
