Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Bitis cornuta albanica Rank Subspecies | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Viperidae Higher classification Bitis cornuta | |
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Similar Bitis rubida, Bitis cornuta, Bitis, Snake, Bitis inornata | ||
Bitis cornuta albanica is a venomous viper subspecies restricted to eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa.
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Description
This subspecies does not have the "horns" that are characteristic of the nominate race, B. c. cornuta. The coloration is brown to reddish brown, and they may also lack the distinctive pattern of the typical form.
This is a small adder. Maximum recorded snout to vent length (SVL) for males is 27 cm (11 in); maximum recorded SVL for females is 22.5 cm (8.9 in).
Geographic range
It is found in Eastern and southern Cape Province in South Africa.
The type locality is listed as "The Dene (Port Elizabeth), Addo, and from dry scrub districts near Grahamstown such as Brak Kloof, farm Springvale, and Kleinpoort near Committees ... Eastern Cape Province, South Africa."
Taxonomy
Branch (1999) elevated B. c. albanica to species level: Bitis albanica.