Kingdom Animalia Suborder Serpentes Subfamily Viperinae Scientific name Atheris nitschei Higher classification Bush vipers Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Family Viperidae Genus Atheris Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Bush vipers, Snake, Vipers, Reptile, Atheris chlorechis | ||
Atheris nitschei is a venomous viper species found in Africa from Uganda and adjacent DR Congo to Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi. The former subspecies Atheris nitschei rungweensis from southwestern Tanzania, northeastern Zambia and northern Malawi was elevated to species rank (Atheris rungweensis).
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Etymology
The specific name, nitschei, is in honor of German zoologist Hinrich Nitsche (1845–1902).
Description
It is a relatively large and stout bush viper, growing to an average total length (body + tail) of 63 cm (25 in) and a maximum total length of at least 73 cm (29 in). The males are smaller than the females.
Common names
Great Lakes bush viper, Nitsche's bush viper, black and green bush viper, Nitsche's tree viper. sedge viper, green viper, bush viper.
Geographic range
Forests of the Central African Albertine Rift, in eastern DR Congo, Uganda, western Tanzania, Rwanda and Buruni.
The type locality is listed as "Mpororosumpf, Deutsch-Ost-Afrika" [Mpororo swamp, Tanzania-Rwanda border].
Habitat
Found in wetland and meadow areas, and elephant grass marshes, along small streams, sometimes in scrub and bush in valleys at higher elevations, and in mountain forests up to the bamboo zone at 1,600–2,800 m (5,200–9,200 ft) altitude. Common in papyrus reed around small lakes.
