Bitis worthingtoni

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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
Synonyms
  • Bitis worthingtoni - Parker, 1932[1]

Common names: Kenya horned viper.[2][3][4]  
 
Bitis worthingtoni is a venomous viper species found only in the high central Rift Valley of Kenya. No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]

Description

Grows to a length of 20-40 cm with a maximum of 50 cm.[3][2]

Geographic range

Restricted to Kenya's high central Rift Valley at altitudes over 1,500 m. The type locality given is the "shore of Lake Naivasha" [Kenya].[2][1]

Conservation status

Currently, this species is not be 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 status of the species is unknown, but it is reasoned that this is justified due to its restricted geographic range, habitat loss, demand by reptile collectors and the existence of illegal trade.[6]

See also

Cited references

  1. 1.0 1.1 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
  4. Species Bitis worthingtoni at the Species2000 Database
  5. Bitis worthingtoni (TSN 634961) at Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed 5 April 2007.
  6. CoP13 at Species Survival Network. Accessed 8 October 2006.