Bitis parviocula

(Böhme, 1977)

Vernacular names
English : Ethiopian mountain adder
French : Vipère des montagnes d’Ethiopie

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Viperidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Medium sized viper reaching up to 130 cm total length. Unmistakable. Greenish-yellow hourglass-shaped markings on back and diamond-shaped markings on flanks. Background color is usually black. Black arrow-like marking on head.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to Ethiopia, occuring in mountain ranges on both sides of the Rift valley (including Bale mountains). Lives in forested areas and grasslands in mountains from 1700 to 2800 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species occurs in only five locations within its small range. Its habitat has been destroyed in parts of its range and it isn’t known to occur in any protected areas.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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