Atractaspis bibronii

Taxobox
name = "Atractaspis bibronii"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Atractaspididae
genus = "Atractaspis"
species = "A. bibronii"
binomial = "Atractaspis bibronii"
binomial_authority = A. Smith, 1849
synonyms = * "Atractaspis bibronii" - Smith, 1849
* "Atractaspis Bibronii" - Duméril & Bibron, 1854
* "Atractaspis rostrata" - Günther, 1868
* "Atractaspis irregularis" var. "Bibronii" - Boettger, 1887
* "Atractaspis Katangae" - Boulenger, 1910
* "Atractaspis Coarti" - Boulenger, 1901
* "Atractaspis bibronii katangae" - Laurent, 1945
* "Atractaspis bibronii rostrata" - Laurent, 1950
* "Atractaspis bibronii" - Fitzsimons & Brain 1958
* "Atractaspis bibronii" - Auerbach, 1987
* "Atractaspis bibroni" - Welch, 1994NRDB species|genus=Atractaspis|species=bibronii|date=2 July|year=2008]

:"Common names: Bibron's burrowing asp.Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.] ""Atractaspis bibronii" is a venomous snake species found in Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.ITIS|ID=700338|taxon="Atractaspis bibronii"|year=2007|date=5 September]

Description

Adults average 30-50 cm in length with a maximum of 70 cm. The color pattern consists of a purplish-brown, gray or black ground color, often with a purplish sheen. The belly can be brownish, white or pale in color, with a series of dark blotches. In specimens with a lighter belly coloration, this may also include two or three scale rows on the flanks.

Geographic range

Found in southern Africa, from central Namibia, east to northern South Africa, north to southeastern DR Congo and Uganda, eastern Tanzania, coastal Kenya, and extreme southern coastal Somalia.

Habitat

Semi-desert, savannah and woodland.

Venom

The venom is highly toxic, although it is produced in very small amounts. Bites are common in some areas. Often, snake handlers are bitten who are unaware that this species is able to bite while being held by the neck. Bite symptoms usually include mild to intense pain, local swelling with occasional blistering and necrosis and regional lymphadenopathy. No fatalities have been recorded.

ee also

* List of atractaspidid species and subspecies
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*
* Snakebite

References

External links

* [http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=193093606&blogID=388729827 Blog detailing bite case history (includes graphic images)] at [http://www.myspace.com/ myspace.com] . Accessed 4 September 2008.