Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes | |
Similar Adenorhinos, Atheris hirsuta, Atheris desaixi, Atheris nitschei, Atheris mabuensis | ||
Atheris nitschei rungweensis is a venomous viper subspecies endemic to Africa in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi.
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Description
It grows to a maximum length (body + tail) of 65 cm (26 in). At midbody, it has 22-33 dorsal scale rows. The ventral scales number 150-165, and the subcaudals 46-58.
The color pattern is variable, with a ground color that ranges from bright green to green to black. Usually, this is overlaid with a pair of yellow dorsolateral zigzag lines. A row of yellow spots on the sides of the ventral scales may also be present. Specimens from the Sumbawanga region usually have a green yellow and black color pattern. Neonates are a dark brown or gray, but with a bright yellow tail tip.
Common names
Rungwe tree viper, Rungwe bush viper, Rungwe leaf viper, Mount Rungwe bush viper.
Geographic range
It is known from scattered locations from southwestern Tanzania to northeastern Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi.
The type locality is listed as "Rungwe Mountains, Tanganyika Territory".
Habitat
A. n. rungweensis is usually found in low bushes along streams and at the edges of mountain forests at altitudes of 800–2,000 m (2,600–6,600 ft). Occasionally, it is encountered in moist savannah, woodland, and hill forest habitats.
Taxonomy
It is also referred to by some as a species: Atheris rungweensis.