Common names: Usambara bush viper, horned bush viper, eyelash bush viper, more.

Atheris ceratophora is a venomous viper species found only in a few mountain ranges in Tanzania. This is the only horned, arboreal viper in Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description

Grown to a maximum length of 54 cm. Females slightly larger than males. The maximum length for a male is reported to be 42 cm, the tail of which measured 8 cm.

Easily recognized by a set of 3-5 horn-like superciliary scales above each eye. The rostral scale has more than twice the length of its width. It has 9 upper labials. The chin shield contacts 3 of the lower labials.

Mid-body, the dorsal scales number 21-25. The ventral scale count is 142-152. There are 41-56 subcaudals.

The color pattern consists of a yellowish-green, olive, gray or black ground color. This may or may not be overlaid by variable markings, sometimes in the form of irregular black spots or cross-bars that may be lined with yellow or white spots. The belly is dirty orange to almost black in color, sometimes with dark spots.

Common names

Usambara bush viper, horned bush viper, eyelash bush viper, Usambara mountain bush viper, horned tree viper, Usambara tree viper.

Geographic range

The Usambara and Uzungwe Mountains in Tanzania. The type locality is "Usambara" Mountains [Tanzania]. They are probably also found in the Uluguru Mountains.

Habitat

Found in grass and low bushes about 1 m above the ground in woodlands and forests at altitudes of 700-2000 m.

Behavior

Like other Atheris species, it is probably active mainly at night, or at dawn or dusk.

See also

• List of viperine species and subspecies
• Snakebite

References

External links

• Atheris ceratophora at Corallus.com Accessed 8 October 2006.
• Atheris ceratophora at Baumpython.com Accessed 8 October 2006.