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Bitis xeropaga

Bitis xeropaga

Scientific classification

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

Binomial name

Bitis xeropaga
Haacke, 1975

Synonyms

Bitis peringueyi - Nieden, 1913
Bitis caudalis caudalis - Mertens, 1958
Bitis xeropaga - Haacke, 1975^[1]

Common names: desert mountain adder,^[2]^[3] Luderitz dwarf viper.^[4]

Bitis xeropaga is a venomous viper species found in southern Namibia and north-western Cape Province in South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[5]

Additional recommended knowledge

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Description

Adults average 40-50 cm in length, with a maximum of 61 cm for a female.^[2]^[3]

Geographic range

North-western Cape Province in South Africa and the arid mountains of the lower Orange River basin, north into to southern Namibia and Great Namaqualand as far as Aus. The type locality given is "Dreilammberg on north bank of Orange River, Lüderitz district, South West Africa [Namibia] (16°52'E, 28°05'S, alt. about 300 m)."^[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.
^ ^a ^b Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
^ Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
^ Bitis xeropaga (TSN 634952). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 26 July 2006.