Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Bitis rubida Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Viperidae Higher classification Bitis | |
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Similar Bitis, Snake, Bitis cornuta albanica, Bitis inornata, Bitis cornuta | ||
Red adder bitis rubida research trip preview
Bitis rubida is a venomous viper species found only in Western Cape Province, South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Contents
Taxonomy
Bitis rubida was described as a new species in 1997 by William Roy "Bill" Branch. Prior to that time, specimens of this snake had been identified as belonging to several other species and subspecies of the genus Bitis (see "Synonyms" in "Taxobox").
Description
Maximum recorded total lengths (body + tail) are 41.9 cm (16.5 in) for females and 37.7 cm (14.8 in) for males.
Geographic range
Several isolated populations are found in the northern Cape Fold Mountains and inland escarpment in Western Cape Province, South Africa.
The type locality given is "Jeep track above Farm Driehoek, Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape Province, South Africa; 32°25'44"S, 19°12'30"E, alt. 1380 m [4,528 ft]; 3219AC."