Bitis caudalis
The Horned puff adder ( Bitis caudalis ) counts within the family of vipers ( Viperidae ) to the genus of puff adders ( Bitis ). Was scientifically described the species in 1839 by the British zoologist Andrew Smith. There are no known subspecies.
Features
The Horned puff adder has a short and stocky physique with keeled scales, the triangular head that sets it apart from the body. With body lengths between 25 and 40, rarely up to almost 60 cm, it is one of the smallest members of their species. Bitis caudalis has striking eyes with vertical slit pupils. About her eyes, she wears both short and usually pointed, horn -like scales mandrel. The coloration varies greatly depending on the area of distribution. So animals are found in Namaqualand in South Africa, mostly under the orange portion predominates. The drawing, consisting of back and side spots as well as a more or less striking head pattern also varies greatly in color and intensity.
Similar species are the tufts brewing viper ( Bitis cornuta ), the puff adder ( Bitis arietans ) and Bitis inornata.
Distribution and habitat
The Horned puff adder is demonstrated in southern Africa in Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana and southern Angola and southern Zambia. Their habitat is sandy deserts and arid savannas.
Way of life
The Horned puff adder is a "typical" Desert Viper. It is crepuscular and nocturnal, ground -dwelling and often spends the day curled up under bushes, succulents or buried in the sand. During the day she lurks buried up to the top of the head in the bottom substrate for prey at night is also actively hunted. The prey is paralyzed with a poison bite. The prey consists mainly of small lizards, but also frogs, and birds and small mammals are captured. The Viper can page writhing move and humans to the hardly aggressive. Bitis caudalis is ovoviviparous, they developed after mating so embryos in thin-shelled egg cases, however, these slip even during oviposition and come alive to the world. A litter usually comprises 3 to 8, maximum to 27 young snakes. The juveniles feed on, among other things also of small lizards, geckos, for example.
Snake venom
The Horned puff adder produces a presynaptically acting snake venom with a neurotoxin ( the so-called Caudoxin, an enzyme of the type phospholipase A2), and myotoxischen ( muscle destroying ) properties. The symptoms after a bite usually restricted to local pain, swelling and local necrosis, deaths are not known.