Bitis arietans somalica

Bitis arietans somalica

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Bitis
Species:	B. arietans
Subspecies:	B. a. somalica

Trinomial name

Bitis arietans somalica
(Parker, 1949)

Synonyms

Bitis lachesis somalica - Parker, 1949
Bitis arietans somalica - Loveridge, 1957^[1]

Common name: Somali puff adder.^[2]

Bitis arietans somalica is a venomous viper subspecies^[3] found only in Somalia, eastern Ethiopia and northern Kenya.^[4]

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Description

Distinguished from B. arietans by its keeled subcaudals.^[2]

Normally, B. arietans grows to about 800-900 mm. However, in northern Kenya, Uganda and Somalia, they grow unusually large, reaching lengths of up to 1905 mm.^[4]

Geographic range

Northern Kenya, eastern Ethiopia, Somalia (incl. Coiama Island).^[4] The type locality given is "Bohodle, 2100 ft,. Somaliland" (Bohodle, 640 m, Somalia).^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 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. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
^ Bitis arietans somalica (TSN 635233). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 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.