Bitis worthingtoni
| Bitis worthingtoni | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: | Bitis |
| Species: | B. worthingtoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Bitis worthingtoni Parker, 1932[1] | |
Bitis worthingtoni is a venomous viper species endemic to the high central Rift Valley of Kenya. No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]
Etymology
The specific name, worthingtoni, is in honor of E.B. Worthington, collector of the first specimen.[5]
Description
It grows to a total length (body + tail) of 20 to 40 cm (7.9 to 15.7 in), with a maximum total length of 50 cm (20 in).[2][3]
Geographic range
Restricted to Kenya's high central Rift Valley at elevations over 1,500 metres (4,900 ft), the type locality given is the "shore of Lake Naivasha", [Kenya][1][2]
Conservation status
Currently, this species is not listed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species or on any of the CITES Appendices, but in 2004, a proposal was submitted by Kenya to have it listed on CITES Appendix II. The actual status of the species is unknown, but it is reasoned that the Kenyan proposal is justified due to the species' restricted geographic range, habitat loss, demand by reptile collectors and the existence of illegal trade.[6]
See also
- List of viperine species and subspecies
- Viperinae by common name
- Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
References
- 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- 1 2 3 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- 1 2 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ↑ "Bitis worthingtoni". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 27 July 2006.
- ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ CoP13 at Species Survival Network. Accessed 8 October 2006.
Further reading
- Parker HW. 1932. "Scientific results of the Cambridge Expedition to the East African Lakes, 1930-1. — 5. Reptiles and Amphibians." Journ. Linnaean Soc. London, Zool. 38: 213-229. (Bitis worthingtoni, p. 221).
External links
- Bitis worthingtoni at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.