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Bitis albanica (Albany adder, Eastern many horned adder)
Albanie-adder [Afrikaans]
Life >
Eukaryotes
>
Opisthokonta >
Metazoa
(animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia >
Chordata >
Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates) > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >
Teleostomi (teleost fish) > Osteichthyes (bony fish) > Class:
Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) > Stegocephalia (terrestrial vertebrates) >
Tetrapoda
(four-legged vertebrates) > Reptiliomorpha > Amniota >
Reptilia (reptiles) >
Romeriida > Diapsida > Lepidosauromorpha > Lepidosauria >
Squamata > Serpentes
(snakes) > Family: Viperidae > Genus:
Bitis
Identification
Can be identified by its grey or white colouration and
between 15 and 22 pairs of brown spots extending down the length of the body.
This snake grows to an average length of 25 cm but can be up to 30 cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
Only found in the Algoa Bay area in
the Eastern Cape. Its favoured habitat is succulent thicket.
Food
Unknown but likely to be lizards and small
rodents
(e.g. rats and
mice).
Predators, parasites and disease
Unknown.
Reproduction
Viviparous, giving birth to young in summer.
Longevity
Most likely has an average lifespan of between five and 10 years.
Medical importance
No humans have been bitten but the venom is thought to be
cytotoxic and cause pain and swelling. Antivenom is not necessary.
Links
References
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