Causus bilineatus

Taxobox
name = "Causus bilineatus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Viperidae
subfamilia = Causinae
genus = "Causus"
species = "C. bilineatus"
binomial = "Causus bilineatus"
binomial_authority = Boulenger, 1905
synonyms = * "Causus rhombeatus" - Bocage, 1895
* "Causus rhombeatus" var. "bilineatus" - Boulenger, 1905
* "Causus lineatus" - Laurent, 1955
* "Causus bilineatus bilineatus" - Laurent, 1964
* "Causus bilineatus" - Broadley, 1971McDiarmid 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: lined night adder,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.] two-striped night adder.Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.] ""Causus bilineatus" is a venomous viper species found in south central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.ITIS|ID=634835|taxon="Causus bilineatus"|year=2006|date=15 August]

Description

The average length is 30-50 cm with a reported maximum of 65 cm.

The head is slightly distinct from the neck, while the snout is fairly long and tapering. Midbody there are 15-18 rows of dorsal scales that are weakly keeled and have a soft and velvety appearance. The ventral scales number 122-141 in males and 128-144 in females. There are 18-30 subcaudals.

The color pattern consists of an ash to auburn to brown ground color, overlaid with numerous irregular or vaguely rectangular black dorsal patches. These patches lie within two distinct and narrow pale stripes that run the length of the body. The belly color is dark to dark cream.

Geographic range

Angola, northern Zambia, DR Congo (Shaba Province) and Rwanda. The type locality is given as "between Benguella and Bihe" (Angola). Bocage (1895) listed "Duque de Bragança, Quissanga, Cacouda, and Huilla" (Angola) for the localities.

Habitat

Occurs in moist savanna, forest-savannah environments and swampy habitats. Wild-caught specimens found to have eaten clawed frogs, "Xenopus", suggest a more aquatic nature than other species.

Feeding

Preys mostly upon toads and frogs, particularly the clawed frog, "Xenopus".

ee also

*
*
* Snakebite

References

External links

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