Atheris ceratophora

Taxobox
name = "Atheris ceratophora"

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regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Viperidae
subfamilia = Viperinae
genus = "Atheris"
species = "A. ceratophora"
binomial = "Atheris ceratophora"
binomial_authority = Werner, 1895
synonyms = * "Atheris ceratophora" - Werner, 1895
* "Atheris ceratophorus" - Boulenger, 1896
* "Atheris ceratophora" - Broadley, 1996McDiarmid 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).]

:"Common names: Usambara bush viper,Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.] horned bush viper,NRDB species|genus=Atheris|species=ceratophora|date=2 August|year=2007] eyelash bush viper,WOA|page=ceratophora|subject="Atheris ceratophora"|date=8 September|year=2007] 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. No subspecies are currently recognized.ITIS|ID=634942|taxon="Atheris ceratophora"|year=2006|date=13 July]

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.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.] 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.

Mid-body, the dorsal scales number 21-25. The ventral scale count is 142-152. There are 41-56 subcaudals.

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.

Common names

Usambara bush viper, horned bush viper, eyelash bush viper, Usambara mountain bush viper, horned tree viper, Usambara tree viper.Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.]

Geographic range

The Usambara and Uzungwe Mountains in Tanzania. The type locality is "Usambara" Mountains [Tanzania] . They are probably also found in the Uluguru Mountains.

Habitat

Found in grass and low bushes about 1 m above the ground in woodlands and forests at altitudes of 700-2000 m.

Behavior

Like other "Atheris" species, it is probably active mainly at night, or at dawn or dusk.

ee also

* List of viperine species and subspecies
*
*
* Snakebite

References

External links

* [http://www.corallus.com/atheris/ceratophora.html "Atheris ceratophora"] at [http://www.corallus.com/ Corallus.com] . Accessed 8 October 2006.
* [http://www.baumpython.com/BaumpythonUK/html/atheris_ceratophora.html "Atheris ceratophora"] at [http://www.baumpython.com/ Baumpython.com] . Accessed 8 October 2006.