Atheris nitschei rungweensis

Common names: Rungwe tree viper, Rungwe bush viper, Rungwe leaf viper, more

Atheris nitschei rungweensis is a venomous viper subspecies found in Africa in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi.

Description

Grows to a maximum length of 65 cm. Midbody, it has 22-33 dorsal scale rows. The ventral scales number 150-165 and the subcaudals 46-58.

The color pattern is variable, with a ground color that ranges from bright green to green to black. Usually, this is overlaid with a pair of yellow dorsolateral zigzag lines. A row of yellow spots on the sides of the ventral scales may also be present. Specimens from the Sumbawanga region usually have a green yellow and black color pattern.Neonates are a dark brown or gray, but with a bright yellow tail tip.

Common names

Rungwe tree viper, Rungwe bush viper, Rungwe leaf viper, Mount Rungwe bush viper.

Geographic range

Scattered locations from south-west Tanzania to north-east Zambia and south to the Nyika Plateau in north Malawi. The type locality is listed as "Rungwe Mountains, Tanganyika Territory."

Habitat

Found in low bushes along streams and at the edges of mountain forests at altitudes of 800-2000 m. Occasionally encountered in moist savannah, woodland and hill forest habitats.

Taxonomy

Also be referred to by some as a species: Atheris rungweensis.

See also

• List of viperine species and subspecies
• Snakebite

References