Rough scale bush viper
| Rough scale bush viper | ||||||||||||
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Large scale bush viper ( Atheris hispida ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Atheris hispida | ||||||||||||
| Laurent , 1955 |
The rough scales bush viper ( Atheris hispida ) is a species of viper from the subfamily of the real vipers and belongs to the genus of bush vipers ( Atheris ).
features
The rough scales bush viper reaches a total length between 50 and 70 cm. Adult females grow larger than males. The body is slightly stocky. The tail is designed as a grasping tail in adaptation to a climbing lifestyle. The head is short, triangular when viewed from above and clearly set off from the neck. The eye has a pupil that is vertically slit when exposed to light. The head and body are characterized by distinctive, narrow scales, the end of which is elongated and protruding outwards. This gives the snake a shaggy look. The English trivial name "African Hairy Bush Viper" also refers to this characteristic. The basic color of the body is variable and can be yellow-green, gray-green, olive-brown or blackish. At the head end there is a dark angular spot. The tail can be monochrome black or ringed black and gray. Irregular dark spots appear along the back. The venom apparatus consists of venom glands located on the side of the skull (specialized salivary glands ) and movable fangs located in the anterior upper jaw ( solenoglyph tooth position).
Pholidosis
The pholidosis (scaling) shows the following characteristics:
- 8 upper lip shields ( supralabials ),
- 8 lower lip shields ( sublabials ),
- 15 to 19 rows of strongly keeled trunk scales ( Scuta dorsalia ),
- 149 to 166 abdominal shields ( scuta ventralia ) and
- 49 to 64 under- tail shields ( Scuta subcaudalia ).
Systematics
The first description of Atheris hispida was done in 1955 by the Belgian zoologist Raymond Ferdinand Laurent under the name Atheris hispidus . Currently (as of 2018) no subspecies are listed.
distribution
The distribution area includes areas in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Uganda , Kenya and Tanzania and includes areas at altitudes between 900 and 2400 meters. Settled habitats are represented by moist forests, tropical rainforests and thickets and are characterized by their proximity to water (marshland and other bodies of water). Often there are reeds and papyrus ( Cyperus papyrus ) nearby.
Way of life
Atheris hispida leads a predominantly nocturnal and climbing lifestyle. It is often seen curled up in the foliage and branches of bushes, small trees and reeds at heights of up to 3 meters. At night she climbs skillfully in the bushes. The ground is regularly visited to acquire prey. To prey spectrum includes small mammals , frogs and toads birds and small lizards . After the poison bite, prey is usually held in place by the poison until it is immobilized. Reproduction takes place through ovoviviparia , i.e. co-giving birth. A litter can contain up to 12 juvenile snakes. These measure around 17 cm at birth.
The species is not aggressive towards humans. Bite attacks usually only occur when provoked.
Snake venom
The poisonous secretion of Atheris hispida contains substances that affect hemostasis (procoagulants) and probably metalloproteases . Bite accidents usually proceed without severe systemic intoxication . Local discomfort can be pain and swelling . Rare complications may result from damage to blood vessel walls and depletion of coagulation factors , and include consumption coagulopathy and hemorrhages . Furthermore, shock and secondary damage to the kidneys cannot be excluded. A specific antivenin is not available. The therapy of a poison bite is symptomatic. In the case of pronounced coagulopathy, replacement of coagulation factors may be indicated.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Atheris hispida in The Reptile Database (accessed July 19, 2018)
- ↑ a b c d University of Adelaide, Clinical Toxinology Resources: Atheris hispida (accessed July 19, 2018)
literature
- Ludwig Trutnau: Snakes in the Terrarium Vol. 2: Poisonous snakes . Verlag Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-800-1705-23 .
